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Russia Investigates Mini-Sub Incident

Russia is launching an investigationnecessary to ask for foreign help. There
into the Navy's response to theare also questions as to how and why it
stranding of a mini-sub at the bottom ofhappened a second time. This month marks
the Pacific that was rescued Sunday withthe five-year anniversary of the sinking
British help. The memory of the Kurskof the nuclear submarine Kursk with 118
nuclear submarine accident five yearshands on board.
ago, in which 118 people died is stillLeading independent military analyst
fresh, and the government is drawingPavel Felgenhauer tells VOA that, unlike
criticism for its handling of thein the Kursk tragedy, Russian officials
rescue.this time called for outside help in
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanovtime. But still, he says the main lesson
Monday visited the seven people who wereof the Kursk has yet to be learned, and
rescued from the mini-sub Sunday, afterthat, he says, is that Russia must have
three days stranded on the ocean flooran adequate search and rescue service of
off Russia's far-eastern coast, and onlyits own.
hours, officials say, before they would"There was a lot of talk, but nothing
have run out of oxygen.really improved operationally," said Mr.
Mr. Ivanov commended the sailors forFelgenhauer. "Again, right now, there is
their bravery, and said the Russian Navya lot of talk, but no one can be sure
would have all the technical equipmentthat this talk will transform into real,
and material it needs in the future.adequate action."
Later, addressing reporters in theUntil that lesson is learned, Mr.
Russian Far East, he said PresidentFelgenhauer adds, Russia will be, as he
Vladimir Putin had ordered a full-scaleput it, "hopelessly helpless." He also
investigation of the incident off thesaid he holds out little hope for this
Kamchatka Peninsula.latest official probe.
In comments broadcast on Russian"The problem is, it's going to be a
television, Mr. Ivanov says the expertclosed military investigation," he said.
commission will examine thoroughly the"We will not know what they determine.
actions of fleet forces and defenseIt will all be covered with a cloak of
ministry officials. He also said thatsecrecy. There will be no parliamentary
the Russian Navy's second-in-command,open inquiries, there will be nothing
Vladimir Masorin, would lead thereally published, and, basically, I
investigation of how the small submarinebelieve, the navy and the military will
came to be trapped under water for threedo their best to sort of sweep it all
days.under the carpet."
A British underwater rescue vehicleThe Russian press was equally critical
helped lift the sub to the surface onMonday. The Gazeta daily said on its
Sunday, and all seven sailors on boardfront page that no one had learned the
were rushed to the hospital. There theylessons from the Kursk. The newspaper
were placed in cardiac care, due towent on to say that, only when the
hypothermia and hypoxia, and aresituation was near critical, did the
expected to remain under close watch fornavy's top leadership ask for outside
three days.help.
The sailors' close brush with death has"It wasn't our victory," wrote another
many in Russia asking why it waspopular daily, Moskovsky Komsomolets.



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