Russian Defense Minister Still to Finalize Iran Visit

Published November 29th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev has yet to finalize a planned visit to Tehran amid the controversy over Moscow's decision to resume arms sales to Iran, news agencies reported Wednesday. 

"The timing of my visit to Tehran has still not been agreed," Sergeyev told journalists in Japan where he is currently on an official visit. 

Sergeyev would visit Iran before the end of the year, defense ministry sources told the RIA-Novosti agency. 

"At the end of December the defense minister will visit Baku. It is possible he will combine the visit to Azerbaijan, planned for December 25, with the trip to Iran," the sources said. 

Russia announced last week its intention to renew arms negotiations with Tehran, effectively scrapping a five-year-old accord with Washington that banned conventional arms sales to Iran. 

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov later brushed aside a US warning that Moscow could face economic sanctions if it went ahead with supplying military hardware to Iran -- MOSCOW (AFP)  

 

 

 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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