US, Russia discussing civilian N-nergy pact

WASHINGTON: The United States is discussing the possibility of a civilian nuclear energy agreement with Russia that could help wean Moscow away from cooperation with Iran, according to US officials.

The move comes as Western powers are increasingly alarmed about what they say is Iran's determination to produce nuclear weapons. Diplomatic efforts to persuade Tehran to reverse course so far have been frustrated, in part because of US and allied differences with Russia, the only major power still engaging in lucrative nuclear cooperation with the Islamic republic.

In recent interviews, several US officials said a possible nuclear energy accord with Moscow is under review. They spoke anonymously because the issue is sensitive and no final decision has been made.

Such an agreement would be a significant change in US policy, which now prohibits most nuclear cooperation with Russia because of Moscow's pivotal role in building Iran's 800 million dollar nuclear power plant at Bushehr.

 A cooperation agreement is ''something that we're actively evaluating'' and have discussed with the Russians over the past two months, one official told Reuters.