Russia should stop nuclear cooperation with Iran, U.S. officials hint

In an apparent reference to Russia, the United States on Monday urged governments to end nuclear projects with Iran in light of a recent finding that Tehran is not complying with the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Stephen G. Rademaker, assistant U.S. secretary of state for arms control, told a U.N. committee that nations must adjust national policies as a result of an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution last month that found Iran in noncompliance because of its past covert activities. Rademaker did not mention Russia by name, but Russia has a US$800 million (Ђ670 million) contract to build a nuclear reactor in the city of Bushehr. That program has raised U.S. concerns that the reactor could help Tehran develop nuclear weapons. Russia has trained about 700 Iranian nuclear engineers, and several dozen Iranian experts are in training at a nuclear power plant in southwestern Russia, the AP report.

Asked later if he would urge Russia directly to end its cooperation with Iran, Rademaker said "I think the statement I gave today speaks for itself." AM