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Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Delivers Ultimatum to Iran Over Uranium Enrichment
New York Times: Russia Gives Iran Ultimatum on Enrichment
Russia has informed Iran that it will withhold nuclear fuel for Iran’s nearly completed Bushehr power plant unless Iran suspends its uranium enrichment as demanded by the United Nations Security Council, European, American and Iranian officials said.
The ultimatum was delivered in Moscow last week by Igor Ivanov, Russia’s Security Council Secretary, to Ali Hosseini Tash, Iran’s deputy chief nuclear negotiator, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a confidential diplomatic exchange between two governments was involved.
For years, President Bush has been pressing President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to cut off help to Iran on the nuclear reactor, which is Tehran’s first serious effort to produce nuclear energy and has been highly profitable for Russia. But Mr. Putin has resisted.
Recently, however, Moscow and Tehran have been engaged in a public argument about whether Iran has paid its bills, in a dispute that may explain Russia’s apparent shift. The ultimatum may also reflect Moscow’s increasing displeasure and frustration with Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium at its vast facility at Natanz.
Well, Flap supposes Russia is pissed because Iran is stalling on paying them. Did the Iranian Mullahs really think they could stonewall the Kremilin? Or STIFF them?
Or are the Russians thinkng of their OWN self-interest?
Either by providing Iran with reactor grade (non-nuclear weapons grade) enriched uranium processed in Russia and make some money along with quick-starting a new Russian business enterprise or shutting down any chance of a nuclear weapons laden Iran.
Whatever the rationale, this “bargaining chip” may forestall an Israeli and/or American military strike on Iran.
And what will Iran do?
The Bushehr nuclear reactor in southern Iran
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Faces Off With United Nations
Iran Nuclear Watch: New Iran Nuclear Sanctions Headed to United Nations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Postpones Nuclear Plant Launch Over Payments
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – Iran Won’t End Nuke Program
Iran Nuclear Watch: IAEA – Iran Has Expanded Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Refuses to Halt United Nations Demand to Halt Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Attack Plans Revealed
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will NOT Suspend Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Too Late to Halt Iran’s Nuclear Bomb?
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, AhmadinejadVladimirPutin
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Russia Watch: Spy Poisoned by Radiation
Sky News: Spy ‘Poisoned By Radiation’
A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The “major dose” of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.
They also revealed that police have found radiation at three locations: his Muswell Hill home, a central London sushi bar where he ate shortly before falling ill, and a hotel where he had met two Russians that morning.
Dr Pat Troop, head of the Health Protection Agency, said the death was an “unprecedented event in the UK” and he had “apparently been poisoned by a type of radiation”.
The development came as Home Secretary John Reid revealed the police were searching for residual radioactive material at a number of locations.
Police in the UK are trying to find out who and what killed the 43-year-old former security agent.
Before he died in a London hospital on Thursday night, Mr Litvinenko wrote a statement on Tuesday blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering his murder.
Reminds Flap of the Ukraine and Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko.
Remember how Yushchenko was poisoned when he was in opposition to the Russia supported candidate for President?
Similar, NO?
Technorati Tags: AlexanderLitvinenko, Russia, Putin, VictorYushchenko
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World Trade Organization Watch: Russia and United States To Announce WTO Deal?
A jeweller polishes a ring made for an Italian firm at the Krasnoyarsk nonferrous metals plant in Siberia, in a file photo. Russia has reached a bilateral trade deal with Washington to join the WTO, a major breakthrough after 13 years of tortuous negotiations, the head of the country’s business lobby said on Friday.
Reuters: Russia, U.S. to announce WTO deal soon
Russian and U.S. leaders are likely to agree soon a bilateral deal opening the way for Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization, a top Kremlin official told Reuters on Friday.
“Talks have been going on nearly round the clock … I think completing the talks is fully realistic,” Arkady Dvorkovich, the head of the Kremlin’s economic staff, said in an interview.
Sources in the Russian capital said a formal announcement was planned for later on Friday.
News overnight that President George W. Bush plans a stopover in Moscow on his way to an Asian economic summit in Hanoi increased expectations that a WTO deal had been clinched. The Asian summit starts on November 18.
“The word in Moscow is that there is an agreement,” Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Sharonov. “We hope that the two presidents might finalize the negotiations in Vietnam early next week.”
Remember this photo at the G-8 Summit in July?
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint news conference at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, July 15, 2006.
So, what has changed since mid-July? Russia agrees to no longer pirate American films and music?
How about Russia making nice about Iranian sanctions and nuclear technology transfers to Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Mullahs?
Is this too much to ask of the Russians?
Who knows in the Bush State Department?
Stay tuned……
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G-8 Summit Watch: President Bush Blocks World Trade Organization Membership for Russia
Technorati Tags: WorldTradeOrganization, WTO, Russia, UnitedStates, G-8, Putin, Bush