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Tehran Says Russian Plan Could Revive Nuclear Talks

IN THIS ISSUE: Iran says Russian plan could revive nuclear talks, nuclear weapons budget, IAEA wants wider nuclear safety checks, Russia can offer new generation system for Euro missile shield, Jordanians against planned nuclear reactor, safety doubts at US nuclear waste cleanup project.

Published on August 16, 2011
 

Iran Says Russian Plan Could Revive Nuclear Talks

Mitra Amiri and Robin Pomeroy | Reuters

Nikolai Patrushev

Iran welcomed on Tuesday a Russian attempt to revive talks with six world powers that are concerned about the its uranium enrichment programme, a potential pathway to nuclear weapons, but was vague about what the agenda should be.

After meeting Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, his Iranian counterpart said a proposal by Moscow -- details of which have not been made public -- could be used to re-launch the talks that stalled in January.

"Our Russian friends' suggestion could be a basis for starting talks for regional and international cooperation especially in the field of peaceful nuclear activities," Saeed Jalili, secretary general of Iran's National Security Council, told state broadcaster IRIB.

Jalili's general remarks gave no indication Iran was now prepared, unlike previously, to address what the powers see as the crucial concern -- its uranium enrichment drive, which U.N. inspectors say Iran has not proven is for peaceful energy only. Full Article   



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