Putin to visit Tehran despite reports on assassination threat

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-16-2007 14:25

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the media during the Petersburg Dialogue, a regular Russian-German conference, in Wiesbaden, Germany, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2007.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will go ahead with a planned trip to Iran to discuss its nuclear program despite reports of an assassination plot.

Putin made the comments during a news conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany.

Vladimir Putin said, "Of course I am going to Iran. If you react to various threats and recommendations of the security services, then you should sit at home. Everyone has to do their job, and the security forces do their job, and the Chancellor and I will go about our duties, we shall continue our work."

Angela Merkel said, "The Russian president will also be meeting with the Iranian leaders to say that transparency is needed and that Iran must comply with the UN Security Council resolution. And it has to be made clear that from our point of view that if Iran does not comply, a new round of sanctions must be introduced. But we have to do everything we can to make them comply."