Algeria, Iran, Qatar, Russia negotiating...

[Steve Gardner]

...creation of OPEC-like gas cartel – Ansari

This article, from sometime in 2007, is news to me. This would be a pretty significant development if it went ahead, especially if they chose the Euro as the unit of accounting.

Source: Interfax

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholamreza Ansari speaks about Iran’s approaches to the resolution of a number of domestic and foreign political problems in an interview with Interfax

Algeria, Iran, Qatar, and Russia are holding consultations on the creation of an OPEC-like gas cartel, with the structure of the organization being the main topic on the agenda, Ansari said.

"Now gas producers are in talks and consultations on the creation of a certain OPEC-like structure. These are Iran, Russia, Algeria and Qatar," Ansari said, adding that Tehran views these talks in a positive manner.

"We hope that the creation of a relevant organization will be a result of the talks, which we view in a positive manner. We hope that the creation of this organization will bring good not only to producers but also consumers, and will contribute to the efficient use of this type of energy," the diplomat said.

The issue whether the OPEC-like gas cartel will give up the U.S. dollar as the currency for its operations is not on the agenda, he said.

“Of course, one of the issues, which this organization will address, deals with gas deliveries to international markets. However, it seems to me that the structure of the organization is a priority now,” Ansari said.

Speaking about Iran’s relations with the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the diplomat said the UN SC should postpone the adoption of a new resolution on Iran, which could toughen sanctions against it, and refer the Iran issue back to the IAEA.

"The continued presence of our dossier at the Security Council has no legal and logical foundation. I want to say that the pressure that is being put on Iran in the context of the adoption of this resolution is absolutely political and has no relation to the settlement of our problem and the creation of an atmosphere of confidence," Ansari said.

"In my view, this opportunity does exist: the adoption of this resolution should be postponed so that the IAEA, as the only competent body, could start settling our nuclear problem. Speaking categorically, the Iran issue should be referred back to the IAEA," he said.

On February 22, France and the United Kingdom officially circulated a draft resolution on Iran at the Security Council, which would impose new sanctions on the country over its nuclear program. The six world powers mediating in the settlement of the Iran problem, i.e. the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, have recently discussed the draft resolution.

Ansari praised IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei's recent report, which says that all questions about Iran's past nuclear activities have been clarified.

"Iran, in cooperation with the IAEA, has fully clarified everything and provided all answers to the questions regarding its past nuclear activities. Iran has practically proven that it is interested in comprehensive cooperation with the IAEA. As for pressure, sanctions, or other forcible steps against our country, all these methods have shown that they cannot produce a positive result," he said.

"Iran and the IAEA are bound to continue comprehensive cooperation. Such cooperation should lead to the creation of confidence for resolving our problem," he said.

"The Americans have been accusing us for years for our nuclear program. Today we witness ElBaradei's report, which emphasizes that Iran has answered all remaining questions. Naturally, if the Americans apologize, this could help establish a calm atmosphere in relations between Iran and the U.S.," he said.

The best way for the U.S. to apologize would be changing its approach toward Iran, he said.

As to Russian-Iranian nuclear energy cooperation, Tehran is planning to commission the nuclear power plant in Bushehr as early as 2008, Ansari said.

"We are hoping for swift completion of the physical launch of the NPP. Hopefully, the plant will be commissioned and powered and that it will happen in 2008," the ambassador said.

The amount of fuel available in Iran is enough for the power plant to start its work, he said.

"The amount of fuel delivered initially is enough for the NPP to be able to work. During the first stage [of fuel supplies from Russia for the Bushehr NPP] Iran received 82 tons of fuel shipped in eight consignments," the diplomat said.

In the context of continued construction of the NPP in Bushehr Iran pays particular attention to Russia, he said.

"Hopefully, the first stage of the NPP construction will be completed as soon as possible, and it will become a positive page in the history of Russia's operations in our country," the Iranian diplomat said.

Ansari also spoke of how another NPP project is being implemented in Dar Khovin. "This is a 360-megawatt NPP which was designed by Iranian engineers and specialists. Hopefully, the early stages of the construction of this NPP will be successfully completed and it will be commissioned," Ansari said.

Iran is also planning to continue to cooperate with Russia on defense equipment and wants to cooperate in the field of aerospace, he said.

"Cooperation on research and technology between Iran and Russia has a broard aspect. Most of this cooperation is in the field of defense equipment. Certainly, when Russia and Iran feel there is a need to cooperate on this kind of issue, they will continue talks. I do not think there is any obstacle in this issue. Russia and Iran can cooperate in the defense area," Ansari said commenting on possible supplies to Iran of Russian S-300 air defense systems.

Asked whether Iran is happy with Russian TOR-M1 systems, the ambassador said, "You know, until now nobody has dared to attack Iran for us to be able to check the effectiveness of these systems. We will let you know as soon as we check this."

Ansari also noted that Iran does not restrict its scientific cooperation and partnership with other countries.

“I think that air and space cooperation has good prospects in Iranian-Russian relations,” he said.