Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[cfoofme]

Communist Russia still supporting these terrorist bastards:


Russia warning pressures Iran over nuclear plant

Mar 12 12:11 PM US/Eastern





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Russia warned Iran Monday to expect delays in launching the country's first atomic power station, adding to mounting pressure on Tehran to compromise with the international community over its controversial nuclear programme.
Amid signs of frustration in Moscow over Iran's combative stance, state contractor Atomstroiexport announced that Iranian financial problems mean a probable set-back in completing the power station at Bushehr in southern Iran.

"Insufficient financing of the project means that there is a real delay in the timetable. The delay will probably be two months, according to experts," Atomstroiexport spokeswoman Irina Yesipova told AFP.

Russian engineers are close to finishing Bushehr, jewel in the crown of Iran's nuclear programme, but have repeatedly postponed delivery of atomic fuel and the start-up of the reactor.

Under the latest timetable, fuel had been expected this month, with the reactor launch in September. Russian negotiators arrived in Tehran Monday to discuss resolving the financial squabble at the heart of the postponements.

A fresh delay would be a blow for Iran, coming on top of pressure from Western capitals that accuse Tehran of secret plans for an atomic weapon, as well as the possiblity of new UN sanctions.

There were even signs Monday that Russia, which has lucrative energy and weapons trade in Iran, is losing patience with its partner.

The three main Russian news agencies quoted an unnamed source close to the authorities accusing Iran of "abusing our constructive relations."

"We absolutely do not need Iran getting a nuclear bomb or the potential to make one," the "informed source" was quoted as saying. "We will not play any kind of anti-American games with them."


A nuclear-armed Iran would fundamentally change the balance of power in the flashpoint Middle East, where close US ally Israel is the sole -- if unofficial -- nuclear power.

Iran says it is only interested in generating electricity and has so far received consistent backing from Moscow.

However, the UN Security Council, where Moscow has veto power, is currently discussing a draft resolution on tightening sanctions imposed in December to punish Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process the West fears could have military use.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said in Washington Monday that the sanctions were having an impact on Iran, and urged that they be "strengthened and extended without delay."

"The international community must not close its eyes" to the threat posed by Iran, Livni said.

More unexpectedly, hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reformist predecessor added his voice to the debate, urging compromise with the international community.

Iran should "pay a certain price, and pay it bravely, for talks and not head towards crisis, as well as guaranteeing our rights in future," said Mohammad Khatami, president from 1997 to 2005.

"We must try to prevent the adoption of another resolution," he was quoted as saying by the daily Sanaat va Tose'e.

The mission to Tehran by representatives from Atomstroiexport on Monday followed the failure of talks held in Moscow last week over financial conditions for the Bushehr construction.

Atomstroiexport blames Iran for late payments. But Iran complains that Russian financial problems are to blame.


http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070312165838.vocezigu&show_article=1&catnum=2