Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 64, May - June 2002

News Review

Russia-Iran Discussions on Non-Proliferation, Nuclear Cooperation

Iran's Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, visited Moscow on April 4-5 to discuss a range of bilateral and international issues. The visit took place to the backdrop of intense US pressure on the Kremlin to distance itself from Tehran, and in particular to discontinue its construction of the Bushehr nuclear reactor, scheduled to be completed in 2003 and begin operation in 2005.

In an April 4 statement previewing the visit, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the "sides will adjust their positions on pressing international issues", namely specifically as "disarmament, non-proliferation and export control". Speaking to reporters on April 5, after talks between Kharrazi and President Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov made clear that any such 'adjustment' would not extend to a dilution of the relationship:

"Question: 'The US is critical of Russia for its cooperation with Iran. How much does this influence Russian-Iranian relations?'

Ivanov: 'As regards Russia's relations with Iran, they rely on a clear legal basis and the observance of all international commitments. ... [T]he US has voiced concern about the fact that there allegedly have been dual-use deliveries as part of this cooperation and that Iran may use these deliveries for its nuclear or missile programmes. We, on our part, strictly observe all international obligations. All nuclear programmes of Iran are under international control - I mean [the] electrical power plants that are being built in Iran with the help of Russian specialists. And if some [people] have concerns, we are ready to consider these concerns, but these must be real facts, not words. However, we have not received such facts."

On April 4, Viktor Kozlov, head of the state company, Atomstriexport, overseeing the Bushehr project, stated that discussions were revolving around final plans for a second reactor at the site: "Guided by the results of work on the first power unit, the sides are now discussing the possibility of completing construction of the second unit". Earlier (March 27), Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev had stressed that "Iran has signed all required international agreements and undertaken full obligations on transparency and checks...and unfailingly fulfilled them..."

The Bush administration remains entirely unpersuaded by such assurances with regard to a state it locates firmly on an "axis of evil". On March 13, Zalmay Khalilzad, National Security Council (NSC) Director for Southwest Asia and a Special Assistant to President Bush, observed in a speech to the American-Iran Council in Washington: "Iran is...aggressively pursuing weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, and the missiles to deliver them. The Iranian regime's continuing support for terrorists heightens our concerns about Iran's WMD programme. It is a particularly dangerous prospect for an Iranian government - not accountable to the Iranian people and supporting terrorists - to acquire nuclear weapons. Issues of proliferation aside, this is a threatening mix. Members of Iran's unelected regime...have made threatening references to use a potential Islamic nuclear capability against Israel. Considering Iranian militant support to terrorist organisations, what check is there that Iran would not transfer some of its WMD technology to terrorists?"

Addressing the same forum, Joseph Biden, Democratic Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued (March 13): "We must step up our efforts to end support by Russian entities for Iranian nuclear and missile efforts. In my view, this hasn't received enough attention over the past year."

During an April 16 press conference, US Assistant Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation John Wolf suggested the onus was on Russia to prove Iran was not a source of concern, rather than demanding proof from Washington that it was:

"Question: 'How successful [are] Russian-American talks on non-proliferation? When talking specifically about Iran, I have the impression that both sides simply keep on saying [the same thing]... [Y[ou say that obviously there are leaks from some Russian entities of these products and technology to Iran, and the Russian side simply denies it. I mean, are you heading anywhere in these talks?'

Wolf: '... On the question of Iran...there does seem to be a difference. I would note that there appear to be a number of individuals in at least one area that are now under investigation. That's a good sign, because it shows that Russian investigative agencies are getting out there and looking for problems. ... And it would be difficult to believe, based on our own experience, that Russian controls are so effective that there are no individuals or entities that are clandestinely providing assistance, for instance, to Iran in the nuclear area or in the missile area. It would be difficult to believe. There are Americans who do it. We catch them; we punish them. So for Russia to simply say...that nothing happens is not sufficient. For Russia to say, "Well, give us the evidence and we will act" really begs the question. The question is using Russia's own investigative agencies to find the problems - and they are real - and to stop them. And that's real, and the need is real if...the confidence in our bilateral relationship is going to continue to grow."

Reports: Text - NSC's Khalilzad says US remains open to dialogue with Iranians, Washington File, March 15; Text - Biden offers five-step program for US policy toward Iran, Washington File, March 22; Russia, Iran to complete reactor deal, Associated Press, March 27; Interview with Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for Russian Foreign Ministry, in view of Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Russia due on April 4-5, Russian Foreign Ministry transcript, April 4; Iranian foreign minister discusses Russian-built nuclear power plant, Caspian sea resources, Associated Press, April 4; Remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Moscow, April 4, 2002, Russian Foreign Ministry transcript; Putin meets Iranian foreign minister, Associated Press, April 5; Transcript - Assistant Secretary Wolf on Non-Proliferation issues, Washington File, April 16.

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© 2002 The Acronym Institute.