World Tribune.com
Saint-Gaudens

Russia to build 2nd nuclear reactor for Iran

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, December 6, 2000

MOSCOW — Russia is preparing to build a second nuclear reactor for Iran.

Russian officials said Moscow has been awarded a contract to build a second unit for the nuclear reactor at Bushehr. A spokesman for the Russian Nuclear Power Ministry, Andrei Edemski, said the contract is worth $1 billion.

Moscow, the officials said, is intent in accelerating the development of the second unit of the Bushehr reactor. The first unit, the construction of which was launched by Germany, took a decade and was riddled with financial and bureaucratic obstacles.

Israel and the United States have accused Iran of using the Bushehr reactor to develop nuclear weapons. They said Russia has provided Iran with nuclear weapons help over the last year, including centrifugal technology.

Russia is also said to be training more than 700 Iranian scientists and technicians in the nuclear field.

The new Bushehr contract is expected to be a focus of talks when Iranian President Mohammad Khatami arrives in Moscow early next year. Russia wants to sign a $1.7 billion contract to supply Iran with advanced aircraft, anti-aircraft defense systems, submarines and missiles.

The U.S. Congress is expected to discuss Russia's help to Iran when it convenes on Tuesday. Members of Congress are pressing the Clinton administration to impose sanctions on Moscow for its rejection of a 1995 ban on Russian arms deliveries to Teheran.

Wednesday, December 6, 2000