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CNN Sunday Morning
U.N. to Discuss Report Calling for Inspections in Iran
Aired June 15, 2003 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Questions about Iran's nuclear program will be in the spotlight this week. U.N. nuclear experts will discuss a new report which calls for further inspections. Washington has accused of tailoring their nuclear program to enable it to make nuclear weapons. CNN's Jill Dougherty explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Since 1995, Russia has been helping Iran to build a nuclear power plant near Bushehr, a deal worth at least $800 million to Moscow. Both countries say it is purely for civilian purposes, but the U.S. says Iran could use that technology to build a bomb. The disagreement has become a major stumbling block in U.S.-Russian relations. Now, there are signs coming from Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself, Moscow's position could be shifting. At the recent summit in St. Petersburg with U.S. president, George W. Bush, Mr. Putin said, the positions of Russia and the United States on the issue are closer than they seem. A senior Russian official tells CNN there is no shift in position, but Moscow is serious about nuclear nonproliferation.
GEORGY MAMEDOV, RUSSIAN DEP. FOREIGN MINISTER: They can only assure you one thing, we are for the strictest possible observance of NPT treaty, this is the highest priority for us, and this is higher than any material gain from any nuclear contract with any country.
DOUGHERTY: But, Russia's actions are raising questions. Moscow says it will not provide nuclear fuel for the Bushehr plant until Iran signs a new agreement to return spent fuel to Russia and Moscow is pushing Tehran to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency tighter control over its nuclear sites. Yet, if Iran doesn't do that, Moscow says the fuel deal could still go ahead, as long as Iran is transparent about its nuclear program.
RUSLAN PUKHOV, DEFENSE ANALYST: And Russia kind of gave a positive sign that it shares it is concern, it changes that attitude, but as far as their substance concern, it doesn't look like this.
DOUGHERTY: Moscow, under pressure from the U.S., some observers say, could be deliberately keeping its position vague and its options open. The Russian foreign ministry says if the IAEA does have questions for Iran, then Russia will support the agency and that will have an effect on Russia's future plans for cooperating with Iran.
Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 15, 2003 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Questions about Iran's nuclear program will be in the spotlight this week. U.N. nuclear experts will discuss a new report which calls for further inspections. Washington has accused of tailoring their nuclear program to enable it to make nuclear weapons. CNN's Jill Dougherty explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Since 1995, Russia has been helping Iran to build a nuclear power plant near Bushehr, a deal worth at least $800 million to Moscow. Both countries say it is purely for civilian purposes, but the U.S. says Iran could use that technology to build a bomb. The disagreement has become a major stumbling block in U.S.-Russian relations. Now, there are signs coming from Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself, Moscow's position could be shifting. At the recent summit in St. Petersburg with U.S. president, George W. Bush, Mr. Putin said, the positions of Russia and the United States on the issue are closer than they seem. A senior Russian official tells CNN there is no shift in position, but Moscow is serious about nuclear nonproliferation.
GEORGY MAMEDOV, RUSSIAN DEP. FOREIGN MINISTER: They can only assure you one thing, we are for the strictest possible observance of NPT treaty, this is the highest priority for us, and this is higher than any material gain from any nuclear contract with any country.
DOUGHERTY: But, Russia's actions are raising questions. Moscow says it will not provide nuclear fuel for the Bushehr plant until Iran signs a new agreement to return spent fuel to Russia and Moscow is pushing Tehran to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency tighter control over its nuclear sites. Yet, if Iran doesn't do that, Moscow says the fuel deal could still go ahead, as long as Iran is transparent about its nuclear program.
RUSLAN PUKHOV, DEFENSE ANALYST: And Russia kind of gave a positive sign that it shares it is concern, it changes that attitude, but as far as their substance concern, it doesn't look like this.
DOUGHERTY: Moscow, under pressure from the U.S., some observers say, could be deliberately keeping its position vague and its options open. The Russian foreign ministry says if the IAEA does have questions for Iran, then Russia will support the agency and that will have an effect on Russia's future plans for cooperating with Iran.
Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
