Czechs join Russia in aiding Iran's nuclear program

MOSCOW -- Czech officials said Prague and Teheran have signed contracts totalling $200 million for the supply of nuclear reactor components. The contracts also call for Czech nuclear experts to work in the Bushehr nuclear complex.

Officials acknowledge that the United States opposed the deal involving the new NATO partner. But Prime Minister Milos Zeman refused, saying international measures on Iraq should not be placed on Iran.

Representatives from the Czech industrial conglomerate Skoda have met with Iranian and Russian atomic energy officials to discuss the sale of such equipment as ventilation equipment and a steam turbine.

American and Israeli intelligence sources said the Iranian nuclear reactor effort is meant to provide Teheran with an infrastructure that would allow the Islamic republic to quickly produce nuclear weapons. Their estimate is that Iran would be capable of producing nuclear warheads for intermediate ballistic missiles by the middle of the next decade.

The sources said Russia has become the main supplier of equipment and technology to Iran's nuclear program. Last week, St. Petersburg Deputy Governor Vladimir Grishanov told a news conference that Iran was impressed with what the city has to offer in the field of nuclear technology.

Already, several St. Petersburg companies are involved with the Bushehr nuclear power station. These include an $18 million contract signed by the Electrosila company for the supply of power generators.

In other contracts, Izhorsky Zavod signed a $44 million accord to supply a reactor; and the Leningrad Metal Factory is expected to sign a multimillion dollar contract to provide turbines.

The RIA-Novosti agency said 38 Iranian nuclear specialists are training at the Atomtekhenergo facility under a contract between the Iranian government and Russia's Atomic Energy Ministry. The Russian facility also trains Bulgarians and will soon be joined by Indian and Chinese nationals.