Russia plan to launch Iran reactor “premature”
As Ms. Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks in Moscow, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would start up the reactor it is building at the Bushehr plant in the summer of 2010.
When asked about the plan to start up the plant, Ms. Clinton said: "Iran is entitled to civil nuclear power; it is a nuclear weapons program that it is not entitled to."
"If it reassures the world, or if its behaviour is changed because of international sanctions, then they can pursue peaceful, civil nuclear power," Ms. Clinton said.
"In the absence of those reassurances, we think it would be premature to go forward with any project at this time because we want to send an unequivocal message to the Iranians," she said.
Mr. Lavrov, speaking alongside Ms. Clinton after talks in Moscow, responded by saying the Bushehr plant was key to maintaining the presence of the UN's nuclear agency in Iran.
"Bushehr plays a special role in maintaining the IAEA's presence in Iran, in ensuring that Iran is complying with its non-proliferation obligations," Mr. Lavrov said.
Related News
Federal net-zero electricity regulations will permit some natural gas power generation
OTTAWA - After facing pushback from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada's draft net-zero electricity regulations — released today — will permit some natural gas power generation.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released Ottawa's proposed Clean Electricity Regulations on Thursday.
Provinces and territories will have a minimum 75-day window to comment on the draft regulations. The final rules are intended to pave the way to a net-zero power grid in Canada by 2035.
Calling the regulations "technology neutral," Guilbeault said the federal government believes there's enough flexibility to accommodate the different energy needs of Canada's diverse provinces and territories.
"What we're talking about…
