§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has received a copy of the report of the US Director of Central Intelligence made to the US Congress on 2 February 1999 on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions; and if he will make a statement on its contents. [104782]
§ Mr. HainThe Department of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is aware of the report referred to by my hon. Friend, but did not receive a copy.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to the Russian Government about the role Russian companies are playing in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran; and what assurances he has sought to ensure that the plant is purely for civilian use. [104785]
§ Mr. VazIn March 1999 my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed with Foreign Minister Ivanov the dangers of arms exports and technology assistance to countries of concern. Officials also raise these concerns, including the specific case of Bushehr, during regular meetings with the Russians on export control and strategic stability issues. The Russians assure us that their assistance for Bushehr is limited to civil nuclear applications and subject to IAEA safeguards. We are watching the situation closely.