Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: How can you comment on the statement of US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns that all countries should discontinue cooperation with Iran in the nuclear field, in particular, Russia - on the NPP at Bushehr?

Answer: We presume first of all that the adoption of binding decisions on winding up cooperation with this or that state in specific fields lies exclusively within the competence of the Security Council of the United Nations. The SC still has not adopted any decisions on suspending collaboration with Iran in nuclear power development. Of course, each country has the right to decide itself with whom and how it is to cooperate with other states.

The construction by Russia in Iran of the NPP at Bushehr, which is under the full control of IAEA, has been conducted strictly in accordance with our international commitments. It has to be noted that this NPP has no relationship to Iran's uranium enrichment activities. Besides, Americans well know that the reactor of the Bushehr plant under construction by virtue of its technical characteristics cannot be used for the purpose of producing materials suitable for a military nuclear program. We have an agreement with the Iranians to supply for Bushehr nuclear fuel from Russia, and moreover, the spent fuel will be returned to us, which precludes the possibility of its being used for military purposes, and this is also known in Washington. In this connection the construction of this NPP presents no threat to nonproliferation.