Iran Receives Nuclear Fuel

Iran Receives Nuclear Fuel in Blow to U.S.

“WASHINGTON — The United States lost a long battle when Russia, as it announced on Monday, delivered nuclear fuel to an Iranian power plant that is at the center of an international dispute over its nuclear program.”

                                                                     NY Times, December 18, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/world/middleeast/18diplo.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Russia Ships First Lot of Nuclear Fuel to Iran

MOSCOW, Dec. 17 --Russia announced Monday that it has delivered an initial shipment of nuclear fuel to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, a step that officials in Moscow and Washington said removes any need for Tehran to pursue a widely opposed uranium enrichment program.

                                                                Washington Post, December 18, 2007

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/17/AR2007121700220.html?hpid=moreheadlines

After long delays that Russian officials made in delivering Bushehr’s nuclear fuel, this week on Monday finally the first shipment of “enriched-uranium fuel rods” was delivered. On his recent trip to Iran, President Putin stated that the promise would be fulfilled and the first part of the fuel would be delivered soon. Unfortunately for American officials who tried their hardest to prevent it from happening, it happened only weeks after the release of the National Intelligence estimate. It was thus more painful to them because they think that estimate has decreased the pressure on Russia to do so.

As you see, the New York Times calls it a “blow to U.S.” while Washington Post begins its report on the event emphasizing that it is still an obstacle in the way of Iranians to continue enriching, because now “there is no need for them to learn how to enrich uranium.” Besides, it aims to show a consensus between Russian and American officials over the issue. This is so cunning! While they know that delivering fuel to Iran will encourage it further they are still making benefit out of it for themselves. For them one thing that is very important, and worrisome as well, is Russia’s relations with Iran. They don’t want to lose Russia on their side so they can’t oppose its decisions forcefully. In this case President Bush even claims that he “supports” Russia’s decision! Despite America’s speaking of there being no need for Iranians any more to learn how to enrich uranium, Iranians confirmed they are going to build a second power plant in Darkhovin, a city north of Bushehr. This actually shows that the American propaganda is becoming weaker and weaker and that today, counties of the world see it less necessary to consult with America about their decisions.