-Caveat Lector- US Sailors Startled by Russian Ship By VANIA GRANDI .c The Associated Press ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (AP) -- When sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt first spotted a Russian warship just miles from the bow of the aircraft carrier, they were so excited they ran out on deck to take pictures. In Cold War days, it was routine for the Russians to shadow U.S. vessels. But times have changed, and the Liman's tailing of NATO warships in the Adriatic has provided the less experienced sailors with their first sight of a Russian warship at sea. ``I wanted to see what it looked like, so when it came close one day I went up and got a picture to keep as a souvenir,'' said Lt.j.g. Jack Walser, of Cary, N.C. Another lieutenant, Thomas Musselman of Norfolk, Va. said he tried to contact the Liman during his watch Friday night from the bridge of the Roosevelt but no one answered. Even the Roosevelt's commanding officer, Capt. David Bryant, admitted Saturday he hadn't seen one so close in quite a while. Sailors liken the Liman -- which could be seen with the naked eye Saturday morning about seven miles from the Roosevelt's bow -- to a big fishing boat. It is about 200 feet long compared to the carrier, which is more than 1,000 feet long. The intelligence-gathering vessel was in the Black Sea when Russia decided to send a warship into the Mediterranean to monitor NATO operations against Yugoslavia. Moscow has said it would not intervene militarily in the conflict. Bryant said he didn't expect any incidents. ``We are in international waters and as long as they maneuver safely and follow the international rules of the road then there is not the slightest problem whatsoever,'' he said. The captain insisted he did not know what intelligence gathering capabilities the Liman had. ``For all I know, they could just be looking at us with binoculars,'' said Bryant. He said his main concern was to avoid colliding with the Liman or the other military or merchant vessels sailing in the crowded Adriatic. The Roosevelt was originally scheduled to head to the Persian Gulf but was diverted to the Adriatic once the NATO bombing campaign began nearly three weeks ago. It arrived in position Tuesday and jets immediately began flying missions. The Russian ship has been shadowing the Roosevelt for about a week. The Roosevelt crew said everyone had been anxiously awaiting the Liman's arrival last week. Although sailors appear to have adjusted to navigating with Russians at their flank, for some seeing it brings flashbacks of the Cold War. ``There is a little more talk and a little more anxiety'' on board, Musselman said. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
