Iran invites foreign diplomats to tour its nuclear sites RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED January 08, 2010 A senior Iranian envoy has confirmed the Islamic republic has invited foreign diplomats to tour its nuclear facilities, ahead of fresh talks with six world powers, the IRNA news agency reported. Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), suggested January 15-16 for the tour of the Natanz enrichment facility and heavy-water reactor in Arak, adding that meetings "with high-ranking officials" were envisaged. It is not clear whether the envoys will travel to the Bushehr power plant, which was built under IAEA supervision last summer. "The representatives of some European Union countries, NAM [Non-Aligned Movement], and some representatives of the five-plus-one [world powers] have been invited to visit our nuclear sites," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said earlier on Tuesday. He said the invitation was part of Tehran's attempt to demonstrate "co-operation with the IAEA." The United States does not appear to be among the invitees. U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told the New York Times the offer is "a clever ploy." "It's not a substitute for Iran's responsibilities to the IAEA," he said. The last such trip was arranged by Iran in February 2007. The tour will take place ahead of a fresh round of talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program with five permanent UN Security Council members (the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France) plus Germany, which is scheduled for late January in Istanbul, Turkey. The West suspects Iran of developing nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its program is entirely peaceful. The IAEA has expressed concern at lack of Iran's cooperation with its inspectors. Other news: Russia ready to finance Egypt first nuclear plant Russia confirmed its participation in a tender to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant and said it was willing to help finance the project. ARMZ acquires Australian uranium producer in $1.2 bln deal ARMZ will pay eight Australian dollars per share, which represents a 15.5 percent premium on the average market price for 20 trading days. Russia to start building Turkish NPP in 2013 Russia will start building Turkey's first NPP estimated at $20 billion in 2013, Russian ambassador to Ankara Vladimir Ivanovsky said. |
Hero of the day Obama nuclear summit: A minor success Further proof of this fact was provided by Obama Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on April 12-13. However, this goal is unlikely to be achieved in four years. INTERVIEW
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