Moscow, 26 August: [Russian Prime Minister] Mikhail Fradkov has instructed Federal Atomic Energy Agency [Rosatom] head Aleksandr Rumyantsev to sign a protocol with the Iranian leadership on the return to Russia of spent nuclear fuel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant. [Passage omitted]

According to Rosatom spokesman Nikolay Shingarev, "This removes a temporary vacuum that developed between the closure of the Russian Atomic Energy Ministry and the establishment of the Federal Atomic Energy Agency on issues of the agency's international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear power."

As of today, Shingarev explained, Rosatom, represented by its head Aleksandr Rumyantsev, may hold talks with the leadership of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization with regard to a protocol on the return of spent nuclear fuel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant and "sign this document on behalf of the Russian government" after all issues are agreed. Only in this case "will Russia supply nuclear fuel to Iran", Shingarev said. [Passage omitted]