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Russia, Iran agree to expand nuclear cooperation

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Saturday, February 19, 2000

NICOSIA -- Officials said the prospect of increased cooperation in the construction and operation of nuclear facilities was discussed in talks this week in Moscow between Iranian and Russian officials. An Iranian delegation led by deputy Foreign Ministry Sadeq Kharazi met Russian deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov on mutual cooperation.

The two men focused on improving technological cooperation and the transfer of Russian know-how to Teheran. Both dismissed efforts by the United States to stop the transfer of Russian technology to Iran.

U.S. and Israeli officials said Russian companies, including those owned by the state, have been transferring missile and nuclear weapons technology to Teheran for use in Iranian military programs. The officials said hundreds of scientists from the former Soviet Union are now working in these projects.

For his part, Kharazi called for Russian cooperation to help Iranian programs over the next five years. He said this would include scientific and research exchanges. More than 700 Iranians are being trained in Russia to operate and develop Iran's planned nuclear reactor at Bushehr.

Klebanov was reported by the official Islamic Republic News Agency as expressing Moscow's readiness to expand cooperation in the construction of new nuclear power plants in Iran. He did not elaborate.

Russia is also helping Iran develop the TU-334 military transport jet as part of what Iranian plans to become an aircraft manufacturer.

Saturday, February 19, 2000


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