Iranian Reactor to Open in 2008
Posted by StormWarning on 24 Dec 2007 at 06:46 am | Tagged as: Current Affairs, International Issues, Iran, National Security, Opinions
According to the Russian contractor building the site, the Iranian nuclear reactor at Bushehr will open in late 2008. The Russians, against the wishes of the U.S., are supplying enriched uranium to the plant. This clearly solidifies the ties between Iran and Russia. As I’ve previously commented, there is a new Cold War upon us. Despite the threats of sanctions, Iran refuses to stop its “domestic” enrichment program.
It insists it is pursuing peaceful power generation only, despite fears it could try to build a bomb.
Washington says Iran has no need to continue its own enrichment programme now that deliveries have started.
It says it supports the supply of enriched uranium to Iran as long as Moscow retrieves the fuel.
Atomstroiexport, the Russian monopoly, is building the $1 billion Bushehr plant under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency.
I believe that we (the Bush Administration) continue to underestimate the renewed power and intentions of Vladimir Putin. Yet, according to one publication, The BulletinOnline, this helps the cause of non-proliferation. The thinking here is that if Russia supplies the HEU to Iran and removes the material, then Iran will not continue its own development, and the uses of the fuel will be more controlled. The question is whether anyone wants to trust Russia and Vladimir and Ahmadinejad.
Behind Russia and Iran’s nuclear reactor dispute
Settling the Iranian nuclear issue
Divided from within (PDF, 256 KB)
When could Iran get the Bomb? (PDF, 539 KB)
A fuel-cycle fix (PDF, 195 KB)
Keep your enemy closer (PDF, 163 KB)
COLUMNS
How Russia’s nuclear fuel delivery to Iran benefits nonproliferation
Of course, in related news, Russia and Libya are now in talks to supply the latter with enriched uranium.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks in Libya on Sunday as the longtime pariah state consolidated its return to the international fold.
Lavrov had been expected to offer Russian help for Libya’s plans to develop a civil nuclear power programme, barely four years after it renounced efforts to develop a non-conventional arsenal in a move that launched its rapprochement with the West.
One must ask the serious question is we are watching as this is happening, and what we are planning to do. These deals are being couched as economic and trade…not offensive. Clearly, the Russian bear is revived, and the situation bears watching in 2008 as one of the critical International and National security issues. The question is whether anyone wants to trust Russia and Vladimir.
You can vote for this article at Real Clear Politics or (maybe) here (if you wish, of course)
Atomstroiexport, Bushehr, Libya, new Cold War, nuclear fuel, Russia, U.S. foreign policy
The new Russian President, in name only I thought, sounds worse than Putin.
Actually, I don’t know “nuthin’.”