Iran thanks Russia for continued peaceful atom cooperation

Hashemi Rafsanjani, chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, has expressed gratitude to Russia for its intention to carry on cooperation with Iran in the utilisation of the peaceful atom and in the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Iran is an independent state and finds effective its cooperation with Russia in the construction of that nuclear power station, which began as a west-assisted project, Rafsanjani said at a meeting with Russia's Nuclear Power Minister Alexander Rumyantsev.

"No matter how much the US may try to hinder our relations, the world community will witness in the future peaceful and constructive cooperation between Russia and Iran within international norms," the Iranian representative emphasised.

The Russian minister, for his part, confirmed that Russian-Iranian cooperation in nuclear power is peaceful in character, built on international treaties and will be based on agreements and projects attained by the sides.

"Despite all accusations against us on the part of some states, we consider ourselves obliged to complete the Bushehr station," Rumyantsev added.