The Hindu Sunday, Jul 28, 2002
Russia's move to expand ties with Iran may anger U.S. By Vladimir Radyuhin MOSCOW JULY 27. Ignoring American protests Russia has unveiled plans to expand trade and economic ties with Iran. The Russian Government has approved a 10-year programme of wide-ranging economic cooperation with Iran, which covers nuclear power, aviation and hydrocarbons, the AK&M news agency reported. The plan cannot but be seen as a challenge to the U. S., with the Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, signing it on the same day the U. S. Congress called for replacing the political regime in Iran. Under the plan Russia will build 10 nuclear reactors in Iran, a sour issue with Washington, and several thermal power stations. Russia will also help Iran manufacture Russian airliners and aircraft engines, build two steel plants and several petrochemical projects, as well as develop oil, gas and coal fields. The plan also calls for Russian participation in "the financing and exploitation of a gas pipeline between Iran and India,'' and cooperation with Iran in developing the North-South transport corridor, including the construction of a railway line linking two Iranian ports — Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf and Anzali in the Caspian sea. Simultaneously a senior Russian military official reaffirmed Moscow's intention to sell Iran conventional weapons, which is fiercely opposed by Washington. The Deputy Defence Minister in charge of arms exports, Mikhail Dmitriyev, said Russia could sell some defensive weapons to Iran and help it modernise its Soviet-built military hardware. Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu
