Negotiations on Russia's Nuclear Assistance to Iran - 2002-05-24

Negotiations on Russia's Nuclear Assistance to Iran - 2002-05-24 President Bush states that Washington is working closely with Moscow to resolve disputes regarding Russia's nuclear assistance to Iran. In a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, President Bush told reporters that it is in the interest of both countries to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of the hardline clerics ruling Iran. Mr. Putin stated that Moscow's assistance to Iran is for the production of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. He further claimed that Russia's aid to Iran would not add to global concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld expressed no doubt that Iran is receiving military assistance from other countries. Mr. Rumsfeld told reporters at the Pentagon that Iran is making overt efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. The Defense Secretary added that Iran has received assistance from North Korea in the field of long-range missile technology. He continued by stating that Tehran does not have good relations with the rest of the world. He said that the prospect of Iran gaining access to weapons of mass destruction and the means to use them poses a serious concern for the country's neighbors.