Russia Seeks Nuclear Dialogue with Iran

Source: Alalam.ir, 07-07-2008

TOYAKO, Japan, July 7--Russia will push for dialogue with Iran on its nuclear program, President Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as telling US President Bush on Monday.

Bush and Medvedev held their first face-to-face meeting at the G8 summit venue in Japan.

The meeting gave Bush a chance to weigh up Vladimir Putin's successor and address outstanding disputes between the two nations.

Medvedev's diplomatic advisor Sergei Prikhodko told reporters that Russia would do everything to stimulate dialogue with Iran.

He said Moscow instead "expects corresponding signals from the Iranian officials".

Iran last Friday delivered its response to an EU package of proposals.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has said the Islamic Republic submitted a "constructive and creative" response with "a focus on common ground".

Just a day later, Tehran offered to negotiate on its nuclear drive but without giving up uranium enrichment.

The United States has said it would consult with its allies before commenting on Iran's response.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told AFP on Monday that he was encouraged by recent dialogue between Iran and the European Union.

The Russian president also told Bush that locating part of a missile defense shield in Lithuania was "absolutely unacceptable," his advisor said.

"The Russian president openly expressed his serious concern about the media reports about talks between the US and Lithuania on the possible installation of anti-missile bases," said Prikhodko.

Despite the differences between the new Russian leader and the outgoing US president on the thorny missile shield issue, the two sides agreed to keep talking.

"Although there is no real progress... we felt that the mood among the US team is to continue dialogue. We will watch how it works out," Prikhodko said.

The US wants to base 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar facility in the neighboring Czech Republic to exert pressure on Russia.