Russia Urges Recognition Of Iran's Nuclear Cooperation With UN

[Purveyor]

MOSCOW, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - The refusal to acknowledge Iran's cooperation with the UN over its controversial nuclear program reduces the possibility of an eventual solution to the dispute, Russia's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

"A constant refusal to acknowledge the positive steps taken by Iran in its contacts with the IAEA will reduce the chances of clearing up the issues directly," Sergei Lavrov said, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and its allies, who have sought tough measures against Tehran.

Many Western countries suspect Iran of using its nuclear program as a shield to build nuclear weapons. Iran has denied this, saying the program is designed to generate energy.

A report delivered earlier this month by the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, stresses the positive aspects of Iran's "nuclear dossier," saying the country has provided extra documentation, but notes that the Islamic Republic is still denying UN inspectors access to Iranian experts involved in its nuclear program.

ElBaradei said that Iran was also continuing to enrich uranium, a process necessary for both weapons production and electricity generation.

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http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071128/89904768.html