Let's face it, the only thing Russia is doing to control Iran's nuclear ambitions is to have a slick PR campaign that spouts disinformation about the entire sordid affair in the hope that no one notices its support of the mad mullahs.

A report from the AP via The Washington Times, says that Javad Vaidi, Iran's nuclear negotiator is considering a Russian proposal to have a joint fuel enrichment program in Russia to supposedly ensure that no fuel is diverted to make weapons.  This proposal means nothing.

Earlier, I reported that the Novosibirsk nuclear fuel fabrication facility in Siberia was already producing enriched uranium for Iran's Bushehr nuclear reactor under the terms of a contract signed in January 2005.  Putin also promised that the spent fuel would be returned to Russia for reprocessing, but we later learned that the spent fuel rods would remain in Iran for 10 years, which way beyond accepted industry standards.  In other words, Iran would have an available supply of spent fuel in its own territory for a decade in order to extract plutonium for nuclear weapons.

Javad Vaidi is being two—faced on this proposal.  In November, he accepted another Russian deal whereby Iran would be allowed to convert yeallowcake at home in the Isfahan plant, before sending the uranium to Russia for enrichment.  Of course, this would mean that the 80 tons of fuel already manufactured by the Novosibirsk plant for Iran no longer has a home.  If this doesn't make any sense, you'd be right; which is why this Russian effort to 'help' solve the Iranian nuclear problem is such a farce.

These non—deals put forward by Putin are meant to delay any sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council because of Iran's violations of the nuclear Non—proliferation Treaty (NPT).  Sanctions would put a serious dent in Russia's potential return on investment for refurbishing the Bushehr reactor and the vast sums of cash generated by contracts for fuel fabrication and reprocessing.  The recent sale of advanced Russian—made SAMs to Iran shows Putin is very serious about protecting his cash cows.

The article highlights the fact that both Europe and the US back these non—deals.  A more probable explanation is that the US and the EU are putting on a nice face for the press, while privately acknowledging that Russian support will shortly lead to a nuclear armed Iran.  Largely uncovered by the MSM, the US has successfully forged new alliances in direct talks and through selected UN agencies.  Of course, there are other options available if economic and diplomatic measures fail.

Doug Hanson   12 29 05