Putin: Russia to run Bushehr nuclear power plant at the earliest

Tehran, Oct 16, IRNA Iran-Russia-Nuclear

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that delay in completion of Bushehr nuclear power plant is not politically motivated and Russia is serious about finishing the job as soon as possible but there are some minor issues which should first be resolved.

Speaking to reporters after the second Caspian Sea littoral states summit, he said the experts from the two sides restarted talks on the issue on Tuesday.

"We have signed an agreement with Iran that the nuclear fuel should be returned to Russia which is on top of the agenda in meeting between experts from the two sides," he said.

He rejected that the delay is due to political reasons and said that it has remained incomplete because of technical and legal issues.

Calling the Islamic Republic of Iran as a big regional and global power, he said that Iran and Russia have friendly ties and are to broaden cooperation and activities.

The current level of trade exchanges between Iran and Russia reached dlrs two billion and this is expected to increase.

On expansion of NATO, he said Russia is opposed to expansion of NATO and believes that expansion of such military organizations can not avert the danger posed by international terrorism.

"I do not have a good impression for expansion of NATO," he underlined.

Existing global issues such as terrorism, narcotic trafficking, wars and conflicts, military interventions as well as other issues could not be resolved by expanding NATO but confidence-building should be practiced instead, he said.

Iran and Russia are to help resolve regional conflicts and help restore peace and tranquility for nations, he pointed out.

On presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan, he said Iran and Russia attach importance to developments in that war-stricken country and wish its people live in peace and tranquility and the foreign forces will withdraw their troops from there and let Afghan people administer their own affairs and decide their destiny.

On US unilateralism in global affairs, he said, "We seek a multi-polar world and I personally am against unilateralism." The US is not able to enforce a uni-polar system because no power would be able to resolve all issues single-handed, he said.

Current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq are rooted in the idea of unilateralism, he said adding, "We should try to help international organizations, mainly the United Nations, and respect international code of conduct as well as rules and regulations in dealing with global issues." 1430/2322/1412

Iranians have a fine image from Russians in mind

IRIB, 2007/10/17

09:08:39 Þ.Ù

Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei welcomed the Russian President's declaration of Moscow resolve for expanding the bilateral relations with Tehran to unlimited levels adding that the expansion would prove beneficial to both nations.

Ayatollah Khamenei told the visiting Vladimir Putin Tuesday night that the two nations enjoy a variety of grounds to strengthen their mutual bonds.

Ayatollah Khamenei was discontent about the present volumes of trade exchanges between the two countries, noting that enhanced levels of trade ties would serve the interests of both countries.

"A sovereign Iran is in the interest of Russia. At the same time, a powerful Russia is in the interest of Iran," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Islamic Revolution Leader told Putin that the authentic source of power for any country lies in the intrinsic strength of its nation, adding that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic have opted for perseverance in defending its national interests because it is confident the enemy transgression will never be quenched.

"On the same ground, the Iranian nation and government will keep the aware and powerful logic and at the same time will avoid adventurism or leaving any excuse to the enemy," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The IR Leader then praised the Russian nation for their persevering mood in many historical occasions.

"We have a bright and fine image from the Russian nation in our mind which originates from the prudent resistance it has shown in different junctures," Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated.

Ayatollah Khamenei then proscribed US transgressive and excuse-seeking mood. "Americans keep dissent towards any country or government which stands up to their illegitimate interests or acts independent from the country. However, the nations could not be put down by such transgressions," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.

The IR Leader recalled the incessant US intimidation over the years after the Islamic Revolution was triumphed in Iran, noting however that the country has always harvested an otherwise reverse outcome.

"America has left no stone unturned to deal a blow to the Iranian nation. However, its adventurism has been always working in the opposite direction," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Concerning the nuclear issue, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined Iran's familiar readiness for building confidence, adding that Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue as a rational and precise job.

"We are determined to satisfy our country's need to nuclear energy and for the same reason we seriously hold to the enrichment issue," Ayatollah Khamenei affirmed.

Concerning the idea of forming an organization in the nature of OPEC to handle gas market affairs, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the good talks held between the Russian side and the Iranian officials. The IR Leader expressed hope the talks would help produce a brighter future in the two countries' relations.

Ayatollah Khamenei concluded his remarks by assuring Vladimir Putin that the Iranian side would deliberate on the proposals and statements of the visiting President delivered in his trip to Iran.

Vladimir Putin for his part described his talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was also present in the meeting, as comprehensive and excellent.

The Russian President said that in his Tehran talks more entente were eyed by the two sides in terms of full-scale and unconstrained cooperation in energy, transit, and aerospace.

"We developed a very bright perspective for the bilateral ties between the two countries," Putin added.

The Russian President affirmed that a powerful and influential Iran was in the interest of the Russian nation and that Moscow would consider no limit in expanding relations with Tehran and would march ahead without preservation.

"Russia has respect for Iran's position regarding nuclear issue and considers peaceful use of nuclear energy as the right of the country. At the same time, it opposes any coercion against Iran," Putin underlined.

Putin welcomed IRI-IAEA cooperation and said that Moscow would support the initiative which Iran had taken.

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