Bush administration welcomes Russian proposal of Iran's nuke plans

Bush administration welcomes Russian proposal of Iran's nuke plans

Though, President George W Bush has backed the Russian proposal to resolve the Iran nuclear dispute, the US government is still continuing its efforts to refer Iran to the UN Security Council.

Under Moscow proposal, which is also being backed by China and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nuclear fuel for Iran would be manufactured by Russia and it would gather the waste to prevent development of nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Iran denied accusations of the US that it is planning to develop nuclear arms.

Mr. Bush said: “The Russians came up with the idea and I support it... because I do believe people ought to be allowed to have civilian nuclear power.”

He added: “However, I don't believe nontransparent regimes that threaten the security of the world should be allowed to gain the technologies necessary to make a weapon.”

Mohamed El Baradei, the head of IAEA, welcoming Russia's plan said it possibly is the “beginning of a solution.”

China, which is opposed to sanctions being imposed on Iran, felt this was a “good attempt at breaking the stalemate.”

Mr Ali Larijani, Iran's nuclear negotiator, also termed the Moscow plan as “useful” and affirmed Iran's stand of its “right to peaceful nuclear energy.”

Bush is still concerned over the remarks made by Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of wiping Israel off the map. He added: “I am very concerned about a president of a great country like Iran declaring his intent, or his interest in the destruction of one of our closest allies.”

According to the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Iran's nuclear program poses a significant threat.

Meanwhile, the IAEA is meeting on February 2 in Vienna to mull over the sanctions.

EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferreo-Waldner cautiously welcomed the Russian plan, but said: “Given its previous rejection, I think we are rather skeptical.”