Iran Looks to Russia As Global Mediator

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-me/2007/jan/28/012804966.html

Iran wants Russia to help mediate in the standoff with the U.N. Security Council over Tehran's nuclear program, Iranian state radio said Sunday as a ranking Russian diplomat met with top Iranian leaders.

The radio said Iran was looking to Russia for "new proposals, such as enrichment of uranium on Russian soil," and expects Russia to "take a close stance with the international community" to help Iran resolve its nuclear standoff.

The Kremlin proposed last year that Iran move its uranium enrichment work to Russian territory, where it could be better monitored to alleviate international concerns that Tehran is trying to build atomic bombs in violation of its treaty commitments.

Iranian leaders had said they were interested in the idea, but nothing came of it as oil-rich Iran insisted its nuclear project is intended only to produce radioactive fuel for reactors that would generate electricity.

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