Jun 6, 2003, 10:25 AM

Russia to Supply Nuclear Fuel to Iran Regardless of U.S. Pressures

Russia to Supply Nuclear Fuel to Iran Regardless of U.S. Pressures

TEHRAN, JUNE 6 (Mehr News Agency) -- Russia will supply nuclear fuel to Iran even if it did not decide to sign the additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing stricter UN inspections, announced Russia's top Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko on Thursday.

Iran-Russia-Nuclear

Russia to Supply Nuclear Fuel to Iran Regardless of U.S. Pressures

TEHRAN, JUNE 6 (Mehr News Agency) -- Russia will supply nuclear fuel to Iran even if it did not decide to sign the additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing stricter UN inspections, announced Russia's top Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko on Thursday.

Russia will "of course" supply fuel to Iran even if Tehran decides not to sign the additional protocol to the NPT, yakovenko said emphatically.

Iran's nuclear installations are meant for peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regularly inspect Iran's nuclear sites.

The United States has enhanced its pressures on Iran over the past few weeks accusing Iran of trying to acquire nuclear weapons.

After its failure to convince the public opinion at home that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, the White House is now trying to divert the public opinion to the alleged threat from Iran in order to ease the domestic pressures.

The administration of George W. Bush waged a war on Iraq on the pretext that the country had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMAD), but till date no such weapons have been found in Iraq.

In an interview with the CNN last week, the chief of the IAEA Mohamad El-Braddei said that Iran's nuclear programs "are not weapons program".

Iran has laid conditions for signing the additional protocol. Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said last week that according to the NPT the developed countries are obliged to supply Iran with the required know-how and technology for its peaceful nuclear installations, but they have failed to carry out their obligations. It they do not discharge their obligations, Iran will not sign the additional protocol to the NPT.

Our nuclear programs are transparent, he said, adding, we are ready to sign the additional protocol provided the Western countries too help us - within the frame work of the NPT - to develop our nuclear programs which are meant for peaceful purposes.

Chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency Gholamreza Agazadeh in an interview with the Iranian Jam Jam TV network elaborated on Iran's nuclear capabilities which are meant for peaceful purposes and added that according to our religion and principles we are not allowed to go nuclear. It is our right to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, he added.

Nuclear weapon is not the only means to protect a system, he said adding, the support of the masses is the best means to preserve our political system.

The Russian Freign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko also stressed that his country liked Iran to sing the additional protocol.

MS/SM

MNA

News ID 56

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