Iran warns Russia, IAEA over nuclear cooperation

Mar 11, 2007, 9:15 GMT

Tehran - Iran on Sunday warned both Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over future nuclear cooperation, the Mehr news agency reported

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh said that the nuclear issue has been politicised 'but the Russians should not enter the political circle.'

Aqazadeh was referring to a financial dispute between Russian contractor Atomstroiexport over construction of the nuclear power plant in the Persian Gulf port of Bushehr in southern Iran.

The joint project was supposed to be finished at the beginning of this millennium but was delayed for various reasons.

'We really hope that at least the Russians refrain from politicising the issue,' said Aqazadeh, who is also Iranian vice- president.

Aqazadeh alleged that the Russian company had used some of the money for the project 'in irrelevant places' and therefore faced financial trouble. He added however that in order for the project to be completed Iran would be forced to settle the problem.

Some political circles in Tehran believe that, in line with United States policies, Russia is using the Bushehr plant for pushing Iran to accept international demands to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

According to Mehr, a Russian delegation will come to Tehran next week to settle the remaining differences and payment of the more than 2,000 Russian experts working at the site.

Aqazadeh also criticised the IAEA for having partially or completely frozen 22 out of 55 technical cooperation projects with Iran.

'We are not happy with the decision which will definitely affect our future cooperation with the IAEA,' Aqazadeh said.

State news agency IRNA reported that the foreign policy and national security commission of the Iranian parliament will hold a special session with relevant nuclear officials for discussing future cooperation with the UN's nucleaer watchdog.

The parliament approved a bill last year obliging the government to revise cooperation with the IAEA in accordance with national interests. The government has so far not implemented the bill.

Iran's refusal to implement the legally-binding United Nations Security Council resolution 1737, which calls for the suspension of all uranium enrichment programmes, may yet to international sanctions against Tehran and push the Islamic state towards isolation.