Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted yesterday in Wiesbaden
of Germany that he would visit Iran later Monday despite reports on possible
assassination plot against him.
"Of course I am going to Iran," Putin told a press conference after he held
talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Wiesbaden.
"If you react to various threats and recommendations of the security
services, then you should sit at home," he said.
Earlier on Sunday evening, Russia's Interfax news agency reported that a
possible assassination plot had been organized against Putin during his Iran
tour.
"A reliable source in one of the Russian special services, has received
information from several sources outside Russia, that during the president of
Russia's visit to Tehran an assassination attempt is being plotted," Interfax
said.
Putin's visit to Iran is the first by a Kremlin leader since then Soviet
leader Josef Stalin's visit in 1943.
Putin is expected to talk with Iranian leaders over the nuclear issue during
his trip to Tehran.
Russia is one party within the six-power talks designed to reinin Iran's
nuclear ambitions, which also include the United States, China, Britain, France
and Germany.
