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Russia tightens nuclear export norms

Russia will tighten controls on the export of nuclear and missile technology, particularly to neighbouring countries, President Boris Yeltsin said in Moscow.

The issue has been a source of friction between Russia and the United States, which has criticised Moscow's nuclear exports to countries like Iran.

Interestingly, Russia is slated to help India build two nuclear power plants -- a project Moscow says it will continue to pursue, despite the worldwide storm of criticism aimed at India's recent nuclear tests.

Speculation is that the latest Russian initiative, which comes days before Yeltsin is scheduled to meet US President Bill Clinton, will be applauded by the United States.

Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesman Vladimir Rakhmanin clarified that Russia has a very cautious attitude to the introduction of economic sanctions since "they do not always prove to be productive".

He reiterated that Moscow's negative stand on the tests conducted by India remain unchanged. "We received the news of the second explosion with regret," Rakhmanin said.

Interestingly, a spokesman for the foreign intelligence service said that Russia had known about the impending tests for some time, though it was not sure about the precise date and time.

"India's nuclear potential has been evaluated by us as considerable," the spokesman said, adding, "At the same time, we must distinguish nuclear weaposn from the means of their launching."

Meanwhile, the foreign minister of Vietnam, now in Russia on an official visit, said that India's nuclear tests should be viewed as part of India's overall policy aimed at establishing peace in the region, and throughout the world.

UNI

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