Russia: Late payments may irreversibly harm Iran nuclear plant construction
State-owned Russian company that is building Iran's nuclear plant says subcontractors are demanding urgent payments.
By The Associated PressMOSCOW - Russia's state-run company building Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant warned Wednesday that the Iranian payment delays may cause irreversible damage to the project.
"If the Iranian side doesn't resume funding for the project, the process could become irretrievable," Atomstroiexport company said in a statement, adding that it was having difficulties trying to appease subcontractors who had demanded urgent payments.
The company said it would continue works in Bushehr relying on Iran to show common sense and resume funding.
On Monday, Atomstrioiexport announced the plant would not be launched in September and nuclear fuel will not be delivered to the station this month as earlier planned, due the unpaid bills.
Moscow and Tehran have been bickering publicly over what Russia says are tens of millions of dollars in delayed payments for its work on Bushehr, Iran's first nuclear power station.
Iran denies it has missed payments on the plant, a sensitive project as Tehran has come under pressure from the United States and the European Union over its nuclear ambitions.
Without Russian uranium, the plant cannot begin generating electricity by September as planned. Iran had expected a fully operational Bushehr to boost its nuclear negotiating position.
The move by Iran's key ally was a major political blow to Tehran. Russia also used unusually strong language this week to criticize Iran for failing to meet United Nations deadlines over the uranium enrichment program.
While the move indicated Moscow's annoyance with Iran's intransigence, Iranian officials claimed Moscow was bowing to international pressure to take a tougher line against Tehran.
The major powers in the UN Security Council are discussing a new package of sanctions against Iran and appear to be moving closer to agreement on new measures to pressure Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, told reporters that Iran expects Russia to fulfill its commitments and ship the fuel to Bushehr. He claimed Russia's shipment and the uranium enrichment were unrelated issues.
"The Russian government should solve this problem," the state Irna news agency quoted Larijani as saying. "This issue [enrichment] is not related to Bushehr case.
Tehran state-run radio said in a commentary that the Russian delay would not cost Iran anything and the country "will eventually achieve the know-how for building a (nuclear) power plant."
On a trip to Moscow, U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell told reporters that "the actions taken by the Russian government ... are consistent with our common interests and common concerns as to what's going on in Iran."
Ahmadinejad: New UN sanctions will only deepen rift with the WestMeanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday warned the West that it would deepen the rift with Iran by imposing more UN sanctions in punishment for Tehran's refusal to halt its disputed nuclear program.
"You are wrong if you think you can sit and draft ... something in order to isolate the Iranian nation," Ahmadinejad lashed out at the UN Security Council as he addressed several thousand people in the central Iranian city of Yazd.
"Not only are you unable to hurt Iran, but you would further isolate yourselves and make yourselves more hated," he added, referring to the West.
But staunchly absent from Ahmadinejad's speech was any mention of Russia's decision Monday to postpone the crucial fuel shipment to the Bushehr plant.
The UN Security Council in December unanimously imposed limited sanctions against Iran for its refusal to freeze enrichment. The enrichment process can produce fuel for nuclear reactors or - if taken to a higher degree - the material for atomic bombs.
After Tehran failed to meet a late February deadline to suspend enrichment under the December resolution, senior representatives of the five permanent Security Council members - Russia, China, the United States, Britain and France, along with Germany - began discussing possible new sanctions.
The new package may include an embargo on arms exports and an asset freeze on more individuals and companies linked to Tehran's nuclear and missile programs.
But Ahmadinejad on Wednesday said the era of Western global domination was over. He urged Western leaders to wake up from their dream-filled sleep.
"They say, 'We want to isolate the Iranian nation,' but what business is it of theirs," Ahmadinejad added.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin welcoming Ali Akbar Velayati, an envoy of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Moscow last month. (AP) |
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Well, we are all sort of jewish in a way? So, why can't the Iranians cry? I have nothing against this, but on the other hand, it is possible the Iranians complain for some good reason. If so, then they should be heard, right?
With the Yaun held low, toilet paper in America costs 110 times as much as it does in China, but workers in China cannot afford toilet paper in China at the deflated value at X 110 Yaun. How are they to pay for this? If the nuclear energy will stimulate growth, then let the US pay them with the dollar (it floats on paper).
I have seen the google images of the Medevey transparent planes that really mach fast. The question is not who wil pay the bill as China, but when! Quasi
Ahhh, the Russkies. Sounds like Russian and Egypt back in 1973, when they blackmailed Egypt during the war to obtain concessions that would have given them a stronger foothold in Egypt. Sadat kicked their ass out soon as the Americans showed some good well. you can't trust anyone, not the russkies.
This tells us that Russia is sensitive to the $$ in his diplomacy. That means that we can buy them out.
Better start packing. It will get real ugly. You're awful close to the mayhem. :)
Nope, not after what just happened in the markets. :)
First of all, the movie 300 is historically INCORRECT. You should read Herodotus' account of the subject. Just because some director made a big screen 'entertainment' doesn't make it factual. What's really sad is that you are so easily deceived and even more so when you show off your ignorance. Do you realize how ridiculous you sound when you say Persia is history? Persia and Iran are synonymous. As long as there is Iran, it cannot be history, can it? What do you know about the Iranians? Nothing! Such a typical American! Iranians were the ONLY nation in the middle east (including Israel) to hold candlelight vigils for your victims of 9/11 attack. But of course, you get your 'facts' from FOX news. And you don't have to basic insight to separate the people of Iran from their government. Here are a couple of links to some photos of real human beings who live in Iran: http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=1867382 http://www.worldisround.com/articles/98910/index.html Enjoy!
It's hardball politics but that seems to be the hole Iran is in right now. Russia is milking Iran of all it can get as it holds the UN vote hammer over it's head. Iran doesn't owe any money to Russia, it's Russia that keeps rising the ante each time a UN vote comes around. I have a feeling Iran will cave in and pay them the extortion money they are demanding but then again who knows the working mind of Persians--pride might get in the way. It's clear ZOG is offerring them money and incentives ( sharing nuclear technology) not to continue with the project whether it will be enough I don't know. I pressume pretty soon ZOG will make them an offer they can't refuse but who knows Russia might play a bigger card and demand missile defense and bases surrounding it need to go; will ZOG sacrifice Europe and oil riches in the Baltics for Israel? One thing is clear, war seems more inevitable with each passing day.
Russia has found reason to back down. Will China who supports Iran pay the bill.??
i wouldn't believe anything either iran or russia has to say. this is a cover up to get the west of both of their backs.
Of course they have. I read in the Farsnews they promised to pay russia 22 million per month due to being behind in their payments. I guess they just don't have the extra cash now on hand. Too much spending on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Mahdi Army in Iraq. what a foolish government.
the Russians woke up and smelled the coffee. They finaly understood that the crazy Iranians were too goofy to be trusted. Even if the Iranians pay very well what use will the Russians have with all that cash after an Iranian " scientist " tipsy on something pushes the wrong button? Moscow has finally made a smart decision.
Make No mistake No body can Trust Russia Regime even the russian.They want to fool the EU US Now Iran Soon China.Russia still super coministe
Palestinians haven't paid a bill in over 40 years. In fact, palestinaisn haven't even seen a bill in 40 years. Did arafat even pay for the Iranian weapons on board the Karine A? I don't blame the farsical farsis for being jealous of palestinian good fortune. And what about the history of Arabs and Russians? Did Egypt pay Russia for the Aswam Dam? For their whole airforce and tank divisions throughtout the 1960s and 1970s? And the Syrians- did they pay? So why is Russia so tough on the Persians. It is an unwritten law that Muslims do not pay their bills. Especially for military equipment. Has Russia forgotten so soon?
Maybe the Iranians didn't pay full price or the conversion rate changed or who knows. Yeah, there's a gap between energy and bombs but conceivably once the Iranians (if ever) master enrichment cascades parallel research can speed up the process. In any event I wouldn't look for any sophisticated balance-of-power or political reasons for Russia's concern: they seem sincere in the ostensible reason for holdup here: they want their money, alliances be damned, and they think Iran is a deadbeat.
Ahmadenijad still have one lunatic supporter,Indra who still thinks that Ahmadenijad can "muscle "the whole world. Too bad,Indra looks like very soon there is no one left for you to cheer!!!
the monkey has spent all of his money financing terrorist organizations while his people are struggling.
So what was it. Russia and China won't play ball with the US on sanctions? Russia falls in behind the US, China to follow?
Iranians never do anything wrong - IT"S ALWAYS EVERONE ELSES FAULT! I never knew we had a perfect country in the world - go ahead and piss off russia see if that helps get what you want! - iranians are big babies - they cry and make a lot noise when they don't get their way - and it has to be their way everytime! Now they are crying over the america made movie 300 - Persia is history - get over it!
After Iran gets the bomb they will attack Saudi to steal their oil. The economy in Iran is bad. They don't have the know-how or the intention of investing in their oil infrastructure and it is gradually crumbling. They look at the world through the prism of oil. They can only conceive of an economy based on oil, not on new technology or producing anything new or beneficial for themselves or the world. Once they have the bomb they will attack Saudi and threaten to use the bomb if the US or anyone else comes to the defence of Saudi. This is the future we have to look forward to if Iran gets the bomb.
... literally put their money where their mouths are! Rather than starting a new tax drive on the common, good Iranian citizens to make up for the Russian payment shortfalls, they should show some personal sacrifice and readily break open their prodigious Swiss bank accounts to fund this civilian nuclear program they so espouse! Or I suppose that they can also temporarily withhold the hundreds of millions they regularly line Hezbollah's, Hamas', etc. pockets with to further their agenda and dreams of dominance in the Middle East, but this would leave these guys to frantically try and collect welfare from someone else as they don't know how to hold down proper jobs. Things are sure heating up right now for the Iranian leaders and it's not even summer yet!
What "equality" is requiered with Iran. By the way have read recently Iran's threats to wipe Israel off the map, to maintain equality Iran should to be wiped off the map.
or maybe their Petrol$$$$ is running out.Poor Iran all alone now because of one lunatic president.!!!
What is usually ignored in this who debate is that there is a large gap between a nuclear power industry and a nuclear weapons production capability. That "gap" is in how long the Uranium enrichment cascades are, and if there are Plutonium extraction plants. These are things which can be monitored and the IAEA is quite able to do so. Small scale work is possible in secret, but not the industrial scale operations necessary to produce weapons.
"Iran has paid at least 4 times the price of a nuclear reactor to russia." - noname Iran bought far more than a reactor from Russia. Right now Russia is demanding payment in dollars and not euros. Iran is refusing to pay in dollars. "I think they have become reluctant to continue." - noname I think the Russians are trying to gain favor with Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are not happy that Iran set up it's own oil trading market. Nor are they happy with the demand by Iran and Iraq that all oil payments be made in euros not dollars. How long before the ayatollahs decide Mr. Ahmadinejad is a liability?
When you stop and consider, how all the high and mighty of the world cannot stop them; is it not a huge hoot that money does stop them?
Israel will know in advance about eventually shipmenets of nuclear materials to Iran, and disturb the transport; the Bushehr nuclear plant is a total waste.
What difference it makes. Nations that possess this technology are any safer? Look around, very nation that has this technology is threaten someway or the other. So what is the big fuss with Iran. Only plus side is see it is economically beneficial. If Iran wants it for its economy, then why not? Iran and everyone know is a nuclear bomb ensuring mutual inhalation. May be some thing good may came out of this like peace between Iran and Israel. Just like between India and Pakistan, US and Russia, who knows Israel may come to it senses and deal with the Iran as equal?
Iran has paid at least 4 times the price of a nuclear reactor to russia. I think they have become reluctant to continue