Gold9472
10-17-2007, 08:30 AM
Putin supports Iran on nuclear program
Russian warns area nations to not aid military action
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/world/5220535.html
By BORZOU DARAGAHI
Los Angeles Times
10/17/2007
TEHRAN, IRAN — Russian President Vladimir Putin, appearing side by side with his Iranian counterpart at a five-nation summit here Tuesday, made a powerful show of support for America's regional archenemy, drawing the line against any attack on Iran and reaffirming Iran's right to civilian nuclear use.
At the same time, Putin stopped short of unconditional support of the Iranian regime, although the tenor of his remarks appeared at odds with earlier suggestions from the Bush administration that Putin might take a more pro-Western stance.
Days after publicly dismissing U.S. plans for a missile defense system, Putin arrived in the Iranian capital in a painstakingly scrutinized visit that was the first here by a Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin mapped out World War II strategy with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in 1943.
Despite continuing threats from the West against Iran's nuclear ambitions, Putin told reporters that Tehran had the right to continued civilian nuclear enrichment.
"Russia is the only country that has assisted Iran in implementing its peaceful nuclear program," he said. "We believe all countries have the right to a peaceful nuclear energy program."
The Russian president also warned the other Caspian Sea nations present not to allow their countries to be used for military assaults against Iran, a clear message to the U.S., which has refused to rule out an attack to halt or slow the Iranian nuclear program it believes is ultimately aimed at building nuclear weapons.
The U.S. maintains strong military ties with the Caspian Sea nation of Azerbaijan, and has been wooing Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan for flyover privileges and intelligence sharing.
The three nations, all formerly part of the Soviet Union, retain authoritarian leadership and have become political battlegrounds between the U.S. and Russia.
Bush administration officials disclaimed any disappointment in Putin's visit to Tehran or his comments, but face a growing challenge in dealing with Putin's maverick, frequently anti-U.S. public statements.
Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said the U.S. did not object to Putin's appearance with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and said the administration still believes Moscow agrees with U.S. and European aims on Iran's nuclear program.
While Putin condemned any possible U.S. attack, he did not vow to stand up for Iran in case of one.
Russian warns area nations to not aid military action
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/world/5220535.html
By BORZOU DARAGAHI
Los Angeles Times
10/17/2007
TEHRAN, IRAN — Russian President Vladimir Putin, appearing side by side with his Iranian counterpart at a five-nation summit here Tuesday, made a powerful show of support for America's regional archenemy, drawing the line against any attack on Iran and reaffirming Iran's right to civilian nuclear use.
At the same time, Putin stopped short of unconditional support of the Iranian regime, although the tenor of his remarks appeared at odds with earlier suggestions from the Bush administration that Putin might take a more pro-Western stance.
Days after publicly dismissing U.S. plans for a missile defense system, Putin arrived in the Iranian capital in a painstakingly scrutinized visit that was the first here by a Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin mapped out World War II strategy with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in 1943.
Despite continuing threats from the West against Iran's nuclear ambitions, Putin told reporters that Tehran had the right to continued civilian nuclear enrichment.
"Russia is the only country that has assisted Iran in implementing its peaceful nuclear program," he said. "We believe all countries have the right to a peaceful nuclear energy program."
The Russian president also warned the other Caspian Sea nations present not to allow their countries to be used for military assaults against Iran, a clear message to the U.S., which has refused to rule out an attack to halt or slow the Iranian nuclear program it believes is ultimately aimed at building nuclear weapons.
The U.S. maintains strong military ties with the Caspian Sea nation of Azerbaijan, and has been wooing Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan for flyover privileges and intelligence sharing.
The three nations, all formerly part of the Soviet Union, retain authoritarian leadership and have become political battlegrounds between the U.S. and Russia.
Bush administration officials disclaimed any disappointment in Putin's visit to Tehran or his comments, but face a growing challenge in dealing with Putin's maverick, frequently anti-U.S. public statements.
Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said the U.S. did not object to Putin's appearance with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and said the administration still believes Moscow agrees with U.S. and European aims on Iran's nuclear program.
While Putin condemned any possible U.S. attack, he did not vow to stand up for Iran in case of one.