Russia nears completion of Iran's Bushehr reactor

MOSCOW— Russia is nearing completion of Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor.

Russian defense sources said the Bushehr project advanced significantly with the arrival in Iran of the base of the nuclear reactor. The base was transferred from Volgodonsk to Iran over the weekend.

The key contractor for Bushehr is Russia's Atommash, regarded as the nation's largest producer of nuclear power equipment. Atommash is contracted to produce and deliver four tanks for the reactor's cooling system. Another system will reload nuclear fuel.

The Moscow-based Itar-Tass news agency quoted Atommash sources as saying that Russian engineers are completing construction of the plant and introducing safety features according to government standards set in Moscow. Bushehr is under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Construction of the Bushehr plant was begun in the late 1970s by Germany. It was abandoned during the Islamic revolution and resumed about a decade ago.

U.S. intelligence sources said Bushehr appears to serve as a front for Iran's nuclear weapons program. They said Iran has obtained Russian equipment and technology to produce enriched uranium required for weapons.

Iran and Russia are discussing new weapons deals. An agreement could be signed during the visit to Moscow by Iranian President Mohammed Khatami. A Russian official said Khatami would arrive in Moscow on March 19.

The completion of Bushehr comes as Iran is promoting an alliance with Syria and Lebanon against Israel. "It is the precondition for stability as well as good regional understanding," Khatami said. "Lebanon achieved an exemplary resistance against Zionist aggressions, and today it is a must for all Islamic and Arab countries to help."

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