Opinion: Key question is what happens, if Russia does not deliver nuclear fuel to Bushehr
If Russia refuses to deliver nuclear fuel to Iran within frameworks of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Construction, the country would ruin its reputation of the supplier and push Iran towards establishing its own enrichment plant. The announcement is made by first deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Commission for Natural Monopolies Valentin Mezhevich. This is how he commented on a statement made by aide of TVEL Corporation president, Mikhail Solonin, that Russian fuel planned to be delivered to Iran is enriched to the level not higher than the one achieved by Iran – degree of U-235 enrichment at a level of 3.7%.
“One should not ask the question what happens, if Russia sends the fuel to the Bushehr NPP,” says Mezhevich. “First of all, it is necessary to ask the question: what happens, if Russia does not? Because the answer to the second question will reveal all true risks.”
He stressed that today the key mistake of some media and experts is confidence that the Bushehr NPP can be used for military purposes. “A nuclear power plant is a 100-percent civil facility,” Mezhevich stressed. “All technologies and materials used in functioning of an NPP are meant for a single purpose – producing electric power.”
The fuel can neither be used for military purposes. Russia will send low-enriched uranium with maximal percent of enrichment at the level of 3.62%. As for an opportunity to use the spent fuel or plutonium in it, Mezhevich said: “From the start, an intergovernmental agreement included a special clause pointing out that Iran pledges to return to Russia all spent fuel. Otherwise, supply of the fuel will be suspended. Besides, any operations with the fuel will take place under tough and permanent surveillance of the IAEA, and any divergence will be registered and stopped.” He reminded that under the contract the whole amount of the fuel for the Bushehr NPP for the whole period of operation will be delivered by TVEL Corp.
18:56 12/12/2007
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