Russia defends Iran nuclear plant ahead of launch
AFP
Date: 8/18/2010
SOCHI, Russia (AFP) – Russia on Wednesday defended the nuclear power plant it is building for Iran in the southern city of Bushehr, days ahead of a ceremony to mark the formal launch of the facility.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the controversial power plant as an "anchor" that would keep Iran firmly fixed to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
"It is a most important anchor which keeps Iran within the regime of non–proliferation," he told reporters on the sidelines of a regional summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
"It is fully protected from any proliferation risks whatsoever. This idea is shared by all the leaders of Western countries."
The charging of the first nuclear fuel at the plant Saturday is to be marked at a ceremony in Bushehr, including the head of Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko.
In somewhat acid remarks typical of the Russian foreign minister's style, Lavrov added: "I would recommend all those who believe this to be a wrong signal to turn to classics, in particular former US president George Bush, who called the Bushehr project an example of cooperation with Iran, in particular in nuclear sphere."
He added: "As far as speculation is concerned, it will always be there regarding any event, even such an event as the opening of the Bushehr which is irreproachable from the point of view of international law and will take place shortly."
Russia has been building the plant in Iran since the mid–1990s but the project has been marred by a series of delays and the issue is hugely delicate amid the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme.
Russian officials have emphasised that it would still take some time for the 1,000 megawatt power plant to start significant work, with the facility operating at minimal power of one percent after 3–4 months.
Western countries accuse oil–rich Iran of seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon under the guise of its civilian nuclear programme. But Tehran insists the drive is entirely peaceful and it needs nuclear energy for a rapidly expanding population whose fossil fuels will eventually run out.
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