Russia, Iran agree timetable for Bushehr reactor launch (Roundup)

Sep 26, 2006, 14:03 GMT

Moscow - Russia and Iran signed an agreement cementing the timeframe for the overdue launch of the Bushehr nuclear power plant next year and paving the way for further joint nuclear projects, government officials said in Moscow Tuesday.

The document 'envisions the supply of fuel in March, the physical launch in September 2007, and the energy launch in November 2007,' the Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing consultations between heads of the respective nuclear authorities.

At talks in the Kremlin, the Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov said Russia would make good on its promises about the completion of Iran's first 1,000-megawatt reactor, which has been hampered by repeated delays on the Russian side.

'A concrete plan for the construction of the nuclear reactor in Bushehr has been laid out and we will strictly abide by our agreements,' Ivanov told Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh, Iran's vice-president and head of its Atomic Energy Organization.

Moscow was satisfied with the development of ties with Tehran and was interested in furthering the 'spirit of friendship,' Ivanov told Aqazadeh.

Frustrated at the hold-ups, Iran in recent weeks stepped up pressure on Russia to provide exact dates for the start of the power plant in southern Gulf port.

Initially, Russia pledged to begin the first phase of the project in early 2000 but delayed the launch several times.

The United States opposes Russia's close nuclear cooperation with Iran and accuses Tehran of using the technology to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization spoke of expanding joint work in the field.

'With the finalization of the timetable for starting the Bushehr power plant reactor, we want Russia to cooperate with Iran in further nuclear projects in the future,' Mohammad Saeidi told state-television from Moscow.

'The Russian government itself is committed to implementing the (Bushehr) agreement and the Russian decision to continue nuclear cooperation with Iran is serious,' Saeidi said.

Russia has previously offered to build several more reactors for civilian power generation in Iran.

Under the plans for Bushehr, Russia will supply the fuel rods on the condition that the spent rods are later returned for disposal.

Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's nuclear power agency Rosatom, has repeatedly stressed that delivery of the fuel would not take place earlier than six months before the unit is powered up.