DATE=8/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA SUB (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-265820
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's top prosecutor says he is opening a
criminal investigation into the sinking of the Kursk
submarine, which claimed 118 lives. Correspondent
Laurie Kassman reports from Moscow that some relatives
of the crewmen have sailed out to the accident site to
drop flowers over the area.
TEXT: The Prosecutor General told reporters the
investigation will be supervised by his office, top
military law enforcement officials and the Federal
Security Service.
The announcement comes amid speculation about what
caused the Kursk nuclear submarine to sink to the
bottom of the sea. The unsubstantiated rumors range
from collision with a foreign submarine or unexploded
World War Two mine, to a suicide bombing by a
Dagestani sailor on board the Kursk. Independent
military experts suspect an explosion in the torpedo
compartment.
In a state T-V interview on Wednesday, President
Vladimir Putin said he would punish anyone found
responsible for the disaster but only after a thorough
investigation could clarify what happened. For now,
Mr. Putin has refused to accept the resignations of
top defense and military officers.
While investigations get underway, grieving relatives
prepared, in their own ways, to honor the 118 crewmen
of the Kursk. About 150 relatives decided on Thursday
to sail out to the accident site to lay wreaths on the
water where the vessel sank.
Most of the other 600 relatives refused to take part
in the national day of mourning on Wednesday.
Instead, they urged President Vladimir Putin to
postpone any official mourning ceremony until the
bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.
Many families have raged against officials for the
contradictory information and inadequate assistance
for them. There is public anger, too, over the
government's delay in seeking foreign help for the
rescue mission.
But the criticism does not appear to have seriously
damaged President Putin's popularity. A poll
published since the Kursk accident shows his approval
rating has dropped only slightly and still surpasses
65 percent. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/GE/FC
24-Aug-2000 11:30 AM EDT (24-Aug-2000 1530 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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