Latest reports (as of 8/14/00 2:00 PM EDT) are that the Russians are reporting that the *Kursk* suffered severe damage, probably in a collision with another submarine. The nationality of the second sub, which presumably suffered considerable damage as well, is not being mentioned, but the implication (knowing history) is that it is American. U.S. subs have conducted regular surveillance of the Russian naval base at Murmansk for more than fifty years, often penetrating deep into Russian territorial waters. There have reportedly been several other collisions between subs of the two nations, but this appears to be the most serous to date. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <undisclosed-recipients:> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2000 1:09 PM Subject: (GDR) Norway on alert for atom leaks from Russian sub Norway on alert for atom leaks from Russian sub By Alister Doyle OSLO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Norway decided on Monday to stay on alert for possible radioactive pollution from a crippled Russian submarine, in which more than 100 sailors were trapped, despite Moscow's assurances that there were no leaks. The Norwegian Defence Ministry said the submarine was in international waters 150 metres (500 ft) deep north-east of the Russian port of Murmansk. It said Moscow, which shares an Arctic border with Norway, had not asked Oslo for help. ``Data coming in now show that we can't see any sign of radioactivity,'' Per Strand, acting head of the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, told NRK public radio after what he called ``fairly intensive'' tests of air and sea. He said Norwegian experts in an emergency commission for atomic accidents met on Monday and ``decided to keep up the work (on checking for leaks) in the Norwegian area and to try to collect water samples as close as possible to the accident.'' The commission includes radiation specialists, military personnel and health workers. He said Oslo was staying on alert ``to be on the safe side'' despite Russian assurances there had been no leaks from the Kursk submarine. Moscow said that there were no atomic weapons aboard and that the vessel's reactor had been turned off. Norway has long feared radioactive pollution from its eastern neighbour. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union used the twin Arctic islands of Novaya Zemlya as a nuclear-testing ground. The Russian Northern Fleet is based in Murmansk. 42 DIED IN 1989 SUB SINKING In 1989, a Soviet nuclear submarine sank off North Norway, killing 42 sailors. The Komsomolets submarine, including atomic torpedoes, is now rusting on the sea bed. And the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster was first revealed outside the Soviet Union by a routine check of radioactivity in a Swedish nuclear plant. The Defence Ministry said that Norway had not been formally informed of the latest accident or asked for help. ``Nothing implies that Russian rescue experts need assistance, but Norwegian authorities will of course be positive if any request were made,'' it said. It said it had no reason to doubt Moscow's assurances that there were no atomic weapons aboard. The Russian office of the Norwegian ecological group, Bellona, was quoted by the Russian news agency Interfax as saying it was concerned by the ``atmosphere of secrecy'' surrounding the submarine incident. Interfax quoted Bellona as recalling that since the introduction of nuclear submarines, Russia's Northern Fleet had suffered four major accidents in which crew members died. 12:32 08-14-00 Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. [non-text material snipped] <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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