DATE=8/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA SUB / PUTIN (L)
NUMBER=2-65792
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's soul-searching over the Kursk
nuclear-submarine disaster is continuing.
President Vladimir Putin says his defense
minister and two senior naval officials are
offering to step down to atone for the loss of
the submarine. But correspondent Laurie Kassman
reports from Moscow he is refusing their
resignations -- for now..
TEXT: President Putin says the three men offered
letters of resignation, but he will not accept them.
First, he says, the cause and conditions of the Kursk
nuclear submarine disaster must be clarified.
In an interview with state television late Wednesday,
Mr. Putin warns against blaming anyone in the emotion
of the moment. He promises to punish those who are
found guilty, but only after a thorough investigation.
Mr. Putin insists the Kursk crisis should unite, not
divide, Russian society.
Ironically, analysts say the crisis has widened the
gap in Russia between leaders who prefer Soviet-style
secrecy and control and the Russian public and media
seeking a more open leadership.
Speaking slowly and with emotion, President Putin told
his interviewer he feels responsible and guilty for
the Kursk tragedy. But, he warns, politicians should
not exploit the tragedy for personal gain.
/// OPT /// Russia, he says, has survived disasters
in the past, and will survive this one. /// END OPT
///
Some opposition politicians in Russia's parliament are
demanding an investigation into the accident.
Newspapers continue to criticize President Putin and
other senior officials for their handling of the
crisis and its aftermath. The Russian leader has been
sharply criticized for his own silence in the first
days after the accident was made public.
Mr. Putin's comments Wednesday came at the end of a
national day of mourning for the 118 sailors who died
aboard the submarine, which crashed to the bottom of
the Barents Sea on August 12th.
Flags were lowered on government buildings and church
services were held across the country to pay tribute
to the Kursk crewmen. T-V and radio programs were
altered to reflect the somber mood of the day.
/// REST OPT ///
Relatives of the Kursk crewmen have urged Mr. Putin to
postpone an official memorial ceremony until all of
the sailors' bodies are recovered. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/WTW/FC
23-Aug-2000 14:36 PM EDT (23-Aug-2000 1836 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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