DATE=8/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA SUB (L)
NUMBER=2-265577
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: British and Norwegian rescue teams are racing
toward the Barents Sea, where a Russian nuclear
submarine lies 100 meters below the surface. There are
118 sailors trapped on board. Correspondent Laurie
Kassman reports from Moscow that overnight attempts to
save the crew and submarine failed because of strong
currents and poor visibility.
TEXT: Public anger is growing over Russia's critical
delay in accepting foreign assistance. Russia finally
agreed to let foreign rescue teams join their efforts
Wednesday, four days after the ship went down.
Britain has dispatched a mini-submarine it hopes can
dock with the sunken "Kursk" and evacuate any
survivors. The question now is will it arrive in time
and is it compatible with the Kursk for such a docking
maneuver.
The British equipment and Norwegian deep-sea divers
are not expected to reach the accident site before
late Friday or Saturday. Russian and NATO officials
are expected to consult in Brussels, later in the day,
about additional help.
Newspapers and ordinary citizens now are expressing
fears it may be too little too late.
A radio poll says three-fourths of those responding
have criticized the way the government is handling the
disaster. Conflicting official reports about what
happened have sparked accusations of lies and
incompetence. Analysts and commentators say Russian
pride and secrecy over its military capabilities
prevented Navy commanders from asking for outside help
sooner.
Rescue efforts so far have failed to reach the sunken
nuclear submarine because of strong underwater
currents and poor visibility. A navy spokesman says
one mini-submarine did get close, but low battery
power forced it back to the surface. The British
mini-submarine is capable of remaining submerged for
four days.
Tuesday, Russian officials acknowledged an on-board
explosion caused the Kursk to sink like a rock to the
bottom of the Barents Sea.
//REST OPTIONAL//
Military experts say the blast would have certainly
caused death and injury. They do not rule out the
possibility that all or most of the 118 sailors and
officers aboard the ship have perished.
Officials say communication with the Kursk has been
sporadic, relying only on some coded hammering on the
metal sides of the hull. Panic spread when the
tapping stopped Wednesday afternoon but a top Navy
commander insists that did not mean everyone had
perished. He suggests survivors would be trying to
conserve their energy as oxygen and temperature levels
inside drop. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/WD
17-Aug-2000 03:55 AM LOC (17-Aug-2000 0755 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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