signatory
12-15-2005, 03:10 PM
By GEORGE JAHN
Associated Press Writer
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- The European Union has formally protested to Russia about its sale of sophisticated missiles to Iran, European and U.S. officials said Thursday, saying the diplomatic row reflected disarray on how to pressure Tehran to scale back its suspect nuclear program.
In a note to Russia's foreign ministry, the EU complained the deal sent a wrong signal at a time when Iran is increasingly isolated for harsh anti-Jewish rhetoric from its president, suspicions that it is aiding terrorists and its poor human rights record, the officials said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the dispute with journalists, suggested that the EU making a formal protest was significant because it came at a time when the normally cautious bloc is wooing Russia as a strategic and economic partner.
The complaint underlined European dismay with the timing of the arms agreement because the sale cast doubt on where Russia stands as the West pushes to get the Tehran regime to give up uranium enrichment.
That process can produce material to make nuclear bombs, but Iran insists its only aim is to make its own fuel for nuclear reactors that would generate electricity. The U.S. government warns that Iran's real goal is to obtain atomic weapons.
A U.S. official said both Washington and the EU were caught by surprise by the arms deal, which was initially revealed by Russian news media early this month. The official said the deal would suggest to the Iranians there is no common will to confront them on nuclear and other issues.
Before the agreement by Moscow to sell Tor-M1 air defense missiles was made public, hopes were high that Iran would accept an EU proposal that would have Russia supply enriched uranium for Iranian reactors.
Support from Russia is seen as key for the international effort to force a compromise on Iran.
More: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EUROPE_IRAN_RUSSIA?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=INTERNATIONAL
Associated Press Writer
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- The European Union has formally protested to Russia about its sale of sophisticated missiles to Iran, European and U.S. officials said Thursday, saying the diplomatic row reflected disarray on how to pressure Tehran to scale back its suspect nuclear program.
In a note to Russia's foreign ministry, the EU complained the deal sent a wrong signal at a time when Iran is increasingly isolated for harsh anti-Jewish rhetoric from its president, suspicions that it is aiding terrorists and its poor human rights record, the officials said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the dispute with journalists, suggested that the EU making a formal protest was significant because it came at a time when the normally cautious bloc is wooing Russia as a strategic and economic partner.
The complaint underlined European dismay with the timing of the arms agreement because the sale cast doubt on where Russia stands as the West pushes to get the Tehran regime to give up uranium enrichment.
That process can produce material to make nuclear bombs, but Iran insists its only aim is to make its own fuel for nuclear reactors that would generate electricity. The U.S. government warns that Iran's real goal is to obtain atomic weapons.
A U.S. official said both Washington and the EU were caught by surprise by the arms deal, which was initially revealed by Russian news media early this month. The official said the deal would suggest to the Iranians there is no common will to confront them on nuclear and other issues.
Before the agreement by Moscow to sell Tor-M1 air defense missiles was made public, hopes were high that Iran would accept an EU proposal that would have Russia supply enriched uranium for Iranian reactors.
Support from Russia is seen as key for the international effort to force a compromise on Iran.
More: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EUROPE_IRAN_RUSSIA?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=INTERNATIONAL