Russia rules out uranium enrichment for Iran

Moscow, Mar 11 (UNI) Russia today ruled out the possibility of setting up a joint venture to enrich uranium here unless Tehran fully complied with the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

''Russia considers a joint uranium enrichment venture with Iran impossible if the Iranian side fails to comply with IAEA demands,'' a Russian official who participated in the negotiation with the Iranian side told RIA Novosti news agency.

The official said the IAEA demands include Iran's resumption of moratorium on uranium enrichment and ratification of an additional protocol to the Non-proliferation Treaty.

''Since Iran has failed to reach agreement with the IAEA, Russia considers the creation of a joint venture impossible,'' he said.

The official dismissed Turkey's proposal to set up a joint enrichment venture in the country as ''absurd''.

''The absurdity of this proposal is obvious to experts in the field.

Turkey does not have the necessary nuclear-fuel cycle technology, while hypothetical transfer of uranium enrichment technology to the country (Turkey) from its NATO partners would be a direct violation of the non-proliferation regime. So there is no point in taking this proposal seriously,'' the official added.

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