DATE=8/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA SUB (L)
NUMBER=2-265449
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Russian navy says rescue efforts are
underway in an attempt to reach a stricken submarine
and more than 100 crew members believed to be on
board. But, as Bill Gasperini reports from Moscow,
Russia's senior navy commander says he is not
optimistic about the prospects for a rescue.
TEXT: Russian Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov (Kur-o-yed-
ov) says it appears the submarine suffered serious
damage in some kind of collision, although he did not
go into more detail.
However other naval officials say the submarine could
have collided with a foreign submarine.
The vessel, known as the "Kursk", was involved in a
large-scale naval exercise at the time of the
accident. However submarines from different countries
are known to shadow each other.
The stricken submarine is one of the newest in
Russia's fleet, having entered service five years ago.
It is powered by two nuclear reactors.
There are some reports of flooding in the forward
section of the vessel.
But navy spokesman Igor Dygalo (Di-galo) says there is
little danger of a nuclear accident or radiation
leakage from the Kursk.
/// DYGALO ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///
He says, "I would like to stress that there are no
nuclear weapons on this submarine. The two engine
reactors were also stopped, and are under control, so
the radiation in the zone where the submarine is lying
is normal."
The Kursk is reportedly sitting on the ocean floor
about 100 meters below the surface.
At least ten rescue vessels are now in the area trying
to render assistance.
But Thomas Nilson of the environmental organization
Bellona, based in nearby Norway, says any rescue
attempt would be difficult.
/// NILSON ACT ///
If the information that was presented is correct
that the submarine has quite huge damage in the
fore section, it means that it will be very hard
to lift the submarine to surface again. This is
a huge submarine, 13-thousand tons. If the
depth is more than 100 meters, I don't know
about any rescue vessels that are able to lift
such a huge submarine.
/// END ACT ///
The Bellona Foundation has been active in monitoring
the environmental situation in the Barents Sea.
It has issued at least two reports with information
about various minor accidents involving nuclear
vessels which took place during Soviet times.
The Russian military has also been accused of dumping
nuclear waste in the Barents and other parts of the
Arctic.
Norway's defense ministry has offered to help in the
rescue efforts. But a spokesman in Oslo says that so
far, the Russians have made no request for assistance.
(Signed)
NEB/BG/JWH/FC
14-Aug-2000 13:59 PM EDT (14-Aug-2000 1759 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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