20 May 2004 -- The U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control, John Bolton, was in Moscow today seeking to persuade Russia not to continue helping to build Iranian nuclear facilities.
Bolton discussed Iran's nuclear program with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak.
"We discussed the Bushehr nuclear power-plant construction [in Iran] and supply of fuel not because we are concerned about what the government of Russia is doing on Bushehr but because we remain concerned about what the government of Iran may do once the reactor begins operation and it is supplied with fresh fuel rods."
Kislyak said Russia shares U.S. concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons. But he did not say Russia would stop projects with Iran to build nuclear power plants that Iran maintains are purely for civilian use.
Bolton also said he hoped Russia would join the Proliferation Security Initiative by 1 June, when Poland hosts a conference of the 80-nation group.
(Reuters)
"We discussed the Bushehr nuclear power-plant construction [in Iran] and supply of fuel not because we are concerned about what the government of Russia is doing on Bushehr but because we remain concerned about what the government of Iran may do once the reactor begins operation and it is supplied with fresh fuel rods."
Kislyak said Russia shares U.S. concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons. But he did not say Russia would stop projects with Iran to build nuclear power plants that Iran maintains are purely for civilian use.
Bolton also said he hoped Russia would join the Proliferation Security Initiative by 1 June, when Poland hosts a conference of the 80-nation group.
(Reuters)