Russia will not send nuclear fuel to the Russia-building nuclear
power plant in Bushehr, southwestern Iran, until disputes between
the two sides were solved, Russian media reported on Tuesday.
"The project is at the stage of completion and certain
difficulties have emerged. The general political background is not
affecting this cooperation very constructively," the Itar-Tass news
agency quoted First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov
assaying.
The Itar-Tass did not specify the difficulties but Russia has
complained about the payment. A delegation from the key Russian
contractor Atomstroiexport has left for Tehran to settle financial
disputes.
The diplomat said Russia should offer nuclear fuel to the Iran's
first nuclear power plant six month before the so-called "physical
launch" according to a set plan.
But "first of all, disputed points must be resolved, then the
acceptable date for that physical launch must be set, and then we
will be able to talk about fuel supplies," the Interfax news agency
quoted Denisov as saying.
More than 2,500 Russian specialists were now living and working
in the suburb of Bushehr, the Itar-Tass cited sources with the
Atomstroiexport.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2007)
