Russia demands equal access to nuclear market

Moscow, Sept 8: President Vladimir Putin said today said he wanted equal access for Russian companies to the world nuclear market, Interfax news agency reported.

''We still do not see equal relations on the market for atomic energy. Russia's interests are here being infringed upon,'' Putin told Russian reporters on his plane from Casablanca in Morocco, Interfax reported.

''Russia will obtain relations that are more balanced on the market for atomic energy and make sure they answer her national interests,'' Putin said. ''Here we have something to speak about with our partners.'' Putin visited Casablanca today as he sought to improve ties with Morocco, which leaned towards the West, and away from Russia, during the Cold War.

Moroccan newspapers had reported that Russia was interested in building a nuclear power station in Morocco.

Putin has complained about barriers to sales of Russian nuclear materials to the European Union and senior Russian officials have demanded an end to US anti-dumping measures against Russian nuclear materials.

Russia is merging its civilian nuclear companies into one state company, along the lines of gas giant Gazprom, to help it compete on the world nuclear market.

Kremlin officials see energy, particularly oil, gas and nuclear, as a new arrow in Russia's geopolitical quiver.

Russian nuclear officials say they want to be able to sell nuclear fuel directly to US companies and that they want changes to a deal that gives US uranium trader USEC Inc. an exclusive right to import Russian nuclear fuel to the United States.

Russia is helping Iran build its first atomic power station at the Gulf port of Bushehr and is interested in further nuclear cooperation. The United States and European countries suspect Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

REUTERS