Russia, Iran opposed to Caspian pipeline

Iranian President Mohammed Khatami started a four-day visit to Russia Monday.

As part of the visit framework, Russian President Putin and the Iranian President signed a joint statement concerning the legal status of the Caspian, declaring that Russia and Iran denies to recognize any borders in the Caspian, unless its legal status is determined. The document goes on saying that Moscow and Tehran object to laying ecologically hazardous pipelines through the Caspian seabed.

As is known, the atomic power plant in Iranian town of Bushehr is being constructed using Russian technologies, materials and specialists. At the same time, Iran is one of the key customer of Russian military machinery. However, Moscow officials were quoted Monday as dismissing the anticipated signing of any military documents.

Meanwhile, news agencies report that the two presidents are also expected to talk over the Russian military supplies to Iran, something that disturbs the US seriously.*