Russia ready to set up intl. nuclear fuel depot

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120405§ionid=351020602


Russia has expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of an international nuclear fuel bank via a planned delivery of its first batch of low-enriched uranium.

Sergei Kiriyenko, the director of Russia's nuclear power corporation Rosatom, reiterated the government's support for a UN-controlled nuclear fuel reserve bank which Russia holds would overcome "insurmountable political difficulties," RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking at an international conference on nuclear energy in Paris on Monday, the Rosatom chief said, "I believe that the first part of these reserves could be formed by the end of this year."

"We want to initially build low-enriched uranium (LEU) reserves that would ensure the operation of at least one 1,000 MW reactor," Kiriyenko added.

He also noted that a deal between Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the fuel depot could be struck by May.

Russian officials have said that the creation of a nuclear fuel reservoir with LEU stock in central Russia would provide supplies to IAEA members in the event of an emergency.

The IAEA Board of Governors approved the establishment of a nuclear fuel reserve bank in November 2009.

Iran ready to accept Japan's nuclear offer

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=119540§ionid=351020104


Tehran says it is ready to hand over the construction of five nuclear power plants to Tokyo, if Japan is truly determined to shoulder the undertaking.

"Japan's participation and involvement in the construction of Iran's power plants will serve the interests of Japanese state and private companies. Iran's suggests that Japan start its job from a particular point, by building a nuclear power plant inside the country," visiting Head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis, Allaeddin Boroujerdi, remarked in Tokyo on Thursday.

The announcement comes after an earlier report by the Japanese newspaper Nikkei Business Daily reported that during a visit by Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, in December, Tokyo made an offer to construct five nuclear power plants for Tehran.

"The nuclear power plants are actually set to be built for energy production and have no other usage. They have nothing to do with the faults the United States and the Western states are trying to find with Iran," Boroujerdi added.

"The Iranian nuclear power plants have nothing to do with the differences of opinions between Iran and the United States. Russia has no problems in completing Bushehr power plant; the plant will be operational in the near future," Boroujerdi added.

"Iranian lawmakers believe that it's not logical that Japan pursue its interests through its relations with the United States; rather, it should decide itself," the Iranian official opined.

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani announced on Thursday that Tehran will study Tokyo's offer to enrich uranium for Tehran.

"It has the substance to be worth discussing. We want to deepen the discussion on it," Nikkei Business Daily quoted Larijani as saying.

In early February Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered construction of 10 more nuclear facilities in the country. At this point, nearly 20 potential sites for the construction of 10 new enrichment facilities have been identified, the Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, disclosed.

The senior Iranian official reiterated that Japan is viewed favorably by Iranian parliamentarians and the nation. Currently Japan cooperates with Iran on several major projects; the annual trade volume of the two states exceeds $11 billion.