While Russia joined the other members of G8 in signing a declaration against Iran, the new allegations of Russian Consul General about the opening of Bushehr Nuclear Power Station are questionable.
At a news conference held in Isfahan, Ali Mitkhadovich Mustafabeyli announced that the first Iranian nuclear power station will become operational within two months.
"Russian government has no problem in continuing efforts to launch the plant. It will begin to work within two months or even sooner," he said without referring to the fourth round of the UN Security Council sanctions imposed recently on Iran.
Responding to a question about the constant Russia's delays on opening Bushehr Nuclear Power Station, Mitkhadovich stated: "It's not simply what claimed by Russia, even Iranian officials have confirmed the time when the plant will become operational.
Traveling to Isfahan at the helm of a Russian trade delegation, the Russian diplomat maintained: "Apart from Russia and Iran trade relations, as a project Bushehr Nuclear Power Station is so important for us."
His other excuse for the postponed plan was the "complication of the process" which was added to the problems: "The history of this nuclear power plant includes a voluminous file. Russia received the project from Germany which made the work so much complicated. We even offered Iranian government to build a new power station, however they didn't agree."
The Russian Consul General referred to earlier Iran's cooperation with his country including Isfahan Iron Foundry and Isfahan Power Station which he named as instances of huge industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries and the memorials of the former Soviet Union.
He also requested for Russia's cooperation in some phases of Isfahan subway project, "No European country has subway stations as beautiful as Russia. Each Moscow subway station is so elegant and seems like a castle," he pointed.
Mitkhadovich statement was made when Russia signed the meddling declaration of the G8 summit held in Huntsville, Ont, Canada against Iran. Leaders of the eight industrialized nations including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Canada and the United States strongly censured Iran for its nuclear activities and the June 2009 presidential election.
Their communiqué reads: "We are profoundly concerned by Iran's continued lack of transparency regarding its nuclear activities and its stated intention to continue and expand enriching uranium, including to nearly 20 percent."
"Our goal is to persuade Iran's leaders to engage in a transparent dialogue about its nuclear activities and to meet Iran's international obligations," adding that they urged the Islamic Republic "to implement relevant resolutions to restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed concern over CIA's recent claims on Iran's nuclear program: "This information has to be checked but such information is always worrying and all the more so because the international community does not recognize the Iranian nuclear program as transparent."
"If this is proved, it would make the situation even more tense," Medvedev said, adding that Russia might have to re-examine its position on the matter, AFP reported.
Unlike the United States Russia which has diplomatic ties with Iran in the past has been reluctant to impose tough sanctions but backed the latest UN move following Tehran's repeated defiance of orders to halt uranium enrichment.
In 1992 Iran signed an agreement with Russia to finish the construction of Bushehr Nuclear Power Station which had been inherited from pre- Islamic revolution era. But since that time Moscow has delayed the launch of the plant which was earlier scheduled to be finalized by 1999.
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