Iran, Russia sign 'military-technical' accord
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
MOSCOW Ñ Iran has signed an agreement to pave the way for purchases
of up to $300 million a year in Russian weaponry and is expected to soon
accept delivery of a nuclear reactor.
Officials said the agreement was signed during the current visit by
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani, Middle East Newsline reported. They stressed that the accord did
not specify what weapons Iran would buy from Moscow but said arms supplies
could total $1.5 billion.
"I am very glad that today we have managed to sign an agreement on
military-technical cooperation," Shamkhani said. "This document is not aimed
against any country but is aimed at ensuring peace and stability in our
region."
Russian defense analyst Ruslan Pukhov said Iran's shopping list includes
the S-300 PMU1/2, which has missile interception capabilities. The list also
includes portable Igla missiles and Tor-M1 systems and the Moskit and
Yakhont anti-ship missiles.
The Moscow-based Itar-Tass news agency quoted Russian defense industry
sources as saying that Iran seeks to deploy Russian systems along its 800
kilometer border with Afghanistan. The systems would help monitor border
smuggling and infiltration.
"This agreement is no secret, it conforms to all the norms and standards
of international law, and is practically identical to other documents which
Russia has signed with many countries," Russian Defense Minister Sergei
Ivanov said.
Ivanov said the accord would allow for the continuation of arms sales
talks with Iran. He stressed that this does not constitute a sales contract.
Russian sources said Russia will deliver a nuclear reactor for Iran's
Bushehr nuclear facility in November. The sources said the delivery will
trigger new talks for the sale of an additional Russian nuclear facility to
Iran.
Iran is also interested in purchasing the S-300 anti-aircraft system as
well as advanced fighter-jets. The United States has opposed the sale of the
S-300 to Teheran. The United States did not immediately respond to the
Iranian-Russian military accord.
For his part, Shamkhani said Russia has formally ended an embargo on
arms sales stipulated in a 1995 agreement between then-Russian Prime
Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and U.S. Vice President Al Gore.
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