VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUNV #0181 0801323
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 211323Z MAR 07
FM USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
TO RUEHII/VIENNA IAEA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6231 C O N F I D E N T I A L UNVIE VIENNA 000181 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2022 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: IAEA/IRAN: RUSSIAN STAFF TURNOVER AT BUSHEHR 
RELATED TO PROJECT REQUIREMENTS, CONTRACT ISSUES 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte for reasons 1.4 (h) 
 
 1.  (C) Recent media reports that Russian workers are leaving 
the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant construction site in Iran 
because of political pressure are incorrect, according to the 
Rosatom representative at the Russian Permanent Mission, 
Andrey Karasev.  He clarified that personnel are leaving 
because of a reduction in construction personnel as the unit 
nears completion. He said that construction at the site is 
still going on and that Atomstroyexport personnel are still 
at the site.  Once construction is completed, construction 
personnel will be replaced by other workers when the fuel is 
shipped.  Karasev noted that some work may have been 
suspended pending the outcome of negotiations over payments. 
The negotiations themselves have been suspended for two weeks 
because of Iranian holidays. 
 
 2.  (C) An IAEA expert on Bushehr confirmed that the Iranians 
had discussed the situation with him during a recent visit. 
His view is that the reduction in Russian staff at the site 
is a result of the construction phase nearing completion. 
 
 
SCHULTE