BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ A group of Russian military officers went to NATO headquarters Tuesday night to determine what assistance the Western defense alliance could provide in rescuing a disabled Russian nuclear submarine.
Russia had earlier refused offers from the United States and Britain to send trained rescue personnel and equipment. Apparently, Russian authorities chose to go through NATO rather than deal directly with Washington or London.
A NATO source, speaking on condition he not be identified, said the Russian officers came to NATO headquarters from the Russian Embassy in Brussels at about 7:30 p.m. and spoke via teleconference with alliance naval experts in Northwood, England, headquarters of NATO's naval command for the eastern Atlantic.
The Russians wanted to know what kind of help the alliance could provide in the effort to rescue 116 sailors aboard the submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea, the source said. He said the meeting was initiated by the Russians.
The two sides exchanged technical information for about 30 minutes during the conference, the NATO source said. On the basis of this information, Russia will decide whether to make an official request.
The source said he had no information about the technical details discussed.
The best immediate source of NATO help for the Russians would be the Royal Navy submarine recovery team, a 20-member unit made up of experts in submarine rescue and escape. That unit is under the Eastern Atlantic naval command.
The team's equipment is located on the south coast of England and could be ready to move in a matter of hours, according to Paul Beaver of Jane's Defense Information Group.
"They have a sub that could be put in the back of a large transport aircraft and flown to Mermansk in a matter of hours," Beaver said. "They probably would get a commercial ship to meet them there and could be starting work on Thursday morning."
Other possibilities include the American vessels Mystic and Avalon, which could be loaded on a C-5 transport aircraft and arrive in about the same time frame, he said.
The Norwegians and the Germans also have extensive undersea oil field experience in the North Sea and could be of help, Beaver said.
"There is a lot of expertise in NATO already in using submersibles at depth," Beaver said.
(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
