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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64A3JB20100511
Russia May Build Nuclear Power Plant in Syria, Additional Reactors in Iran
(Reuters) Russia may help build a nuclear power plant in Syria, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said on Tuesday, a step that could upset the West due to unresolved allegations Damascus tried to construct a secret nuclear weapons facility. In 2007, Israel bombed to rubble what Washington said was a nascent, plutonium-producing nuclear reactor in Syria's desert and a UN nuclear watchdog probe to determine what the target was has stalled due to Syrian non-cooperation, diplomats say. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is currently on a state visit to Syria, seeking to reinvigorate ties after Russia has forgiven most of Syria's multi-billion dollar debt. Shmatko also suggested Russia might build more nuclear power reactors in Iran beyond the one it plans to switch on this year near Bushehr. "We are in favor of continuing cooperation with Iran in the energy sphere to the full extent, including in building light-water reactors," he said. Russia is aggressively seeking contracts abroad to build atomic power plants.