Tehran - Iran on Sunday warned both Russia and the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over future nuclear
cooperation, the Mehr news agency reported
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Gholam-Reza
Aqazadeh said that the nuclear issue has been politicised 'but the
Russians should not enter the political circle.'
Aqazadeh was referring to a financial dispute between Russian
contractor Atomstroiexport over construction of the nuclear power
plant in the Persian Gulf port of Bushehr in southern Iran.
The joint project was supposed to be finished at the beginning of
this millennium but was delayed for various reasons.
'We really hope that at least the Russians refrain from
politicising the issue,' said Aqazadeh, who is also Iranian vice-
president.
Aqazadeh alleged that the Russian company had used some of the
money for the project 'in irrelevant places' and therefore faced
financial trouble. He added however that in order for the project to
be completed Iran would be forced to settle the problem.
Some political circles in Tehran believe that, in line with United
States policies, Russia is using the Bushehr plant for pushing Iran
to accept international demands to suspend its uranium enrichment
programme.
According to Mehr, a Russian delegation will come to Tehran next
week to settle the remaining differences and payment of the more than
2,000 Russian experts working at the site.
Aqazadeh also criticised the IAEA for having partially or
completely frozen 22 out of 55 technical cooperation projects with
Iran.
'We are not happy with the decision which will definitely affect
our future cooperation with the IAEA,' Aqazadeh said.
State news agency IRNA reported that the foreign policy and
national security commission of the Iranian parliament will hold a
special session with relevant nuclear officials for discussing future
cooperation with the UN's nucleaer watchdog.
The parliament approved a bill last year obliging the government
to revise cooperation with the IAEA in accordance with national
interests. The government has so far not implemented the bill.
Iran's refusal to implement the legally-binding United Nations
Security Council resolution 1737, which calls for the suspension of
all uranium enrichment programmes, may yet to international sanctions
against Tehran and push the Islamic state towards isolation.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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