Russia sees no reason for this.

"We have an agreement on the transit of the cargo across Azerbaijan. It was registered in line with international customs requirements formulated in the TIR Convention," said Irina Yesipova, a spokesperson for Atomstroyexport.

Atomstroyexport, the company building the Bushehr nuclear power plant, is Russia's nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly.

Azerbaijan is acting in violation of international requirements, even though it is generally agreed that international laws take precedence over local legislation. A country that considers itself part of the international community should respect its laws.

Azerbaijani authorities insist that a representative of Atomstroyexport should arrive in Baku to discuss the problem. The Russian company sees no legitimate reason for this, arguing that all customs documents were prepared well in advance.

Baku suspects that the trailer is carrying dual-purpose materials in violation of U.N. resolutions. Atomstroyexport says it is carrying heat-insulation equipment. In this situation, wouldn't the simplest thing be for the customs officers to open the trailer, in line with international practice, and see for themselves that this is a "clean" cargo?

"It might contain radioactive materials. We must be confident that the cargo does not violate U.N. resolutions regarding Iran. We demand clarity from Moscow," said Khazar Ibragim, press secretary of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

He should know that a nuclear power plant under construction does not need radioactive materials. Even unused nuclear fuel, which has already been delivered to Bushehr, is completely harmless.

Apart from their unfriendly nature, the allegations raise another question. Why did Baku wait until the cargo had already reached Iran's border before demanding clarity? Is it because the intrigue can acquire a political aspect at this stage?

The sides can either settle their differences now, or Azerbaijan may detain the cargo indefinitely, without any explanation. In this case, Russia may have to produce another batch of heat-insulation materials for the Bushehr plant, at great expense of time and money.

Atomstroyexport will also have to find an easier and more civilized transit route. This is not its first problem with Azerbaijan.

Three years ago Russian trailers carrying equipment for the Iranian nuclear power plant were stopped on the Azerbaijani border. That time Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilkham Aliyev, quickly settled the problem.

Does Baku want the two presidents to meet again to discuss the problem of one trailer? Isn't that just a little over the top?

(Tatyana Sinitsyna is a commentator for RIA Novosti. This article was republished with permission of RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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