US demands Russia end all nuclear cooperation with Iran

AFP. 1 August 2002.

WASHINGTON -- The United States demanded that Russia halt all nuclear cooperation with Iran, expressing "utmost concern" at Moscow's decision to deepen ties with a state Washington has branded part of an "axis of evil."

US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said he was holding delicate talks sparked by Russia's announcement that it plans to build a second Iranian nuclear power and broaden economic ties with Tehran in other spheres.

"Iran is aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles," Abraham told reporters Thursday, one day after holding closed-door talks with Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev.

"For that reason we consistently urge Russia to cease all nuclear cooperation with Iran including its assistance to the reactor at Bushehr," he added.

"No one should be under any impression that there is anything but the utmost concern on this question on our part and those concerns have been frankly and directly conveyed during our meetings."

Together with Israel, the United States has voiced repeated fears over Russian-Iranian cooperation in the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, where only one reactor of four has been completed.

Abraham said the issue had been raised "at the highest levels," with US officials saying Washington was also anxious that Iran may be developing other weapons as well as long-range missiles with Russia's help.

Iran for its part welcomed Russia's decision to approve the 10-year nuclear program, denying that such cooperation could help the Islamic republic develop nuclear weapons, the official agency IRNA said.

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