Russia delays nuclear power station in Iran

14 October 2003
Moscow announced on 13 October that it is to delay the start up of the Bushehr nuclear power plant by a year to 2005. The Russian Atomic Energy Ministry said the delay was a 'technical decision', which was made by a joint Russian-Iranian commission that supplied technology and materials for the plant. 'There is a huge amount of equipment that is needed,' said a senior Russian official. 'Equipment [we thought] would work is not going to work.' Observers believe that the delay is due to ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Russia denies that this is a political move.

The Bushehr delay came hours before the EU issued a strong condemnation of human rights in Iran. EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg devoted an entire session to Iran's human rights situation, criticising the Islamic republic, but stressing the need for dialogue. 'The situation with regard to freedom of opinion and expression continues to be deeply troubling, especially on the eve of parliamentary elections,' the council said in a statement.

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