Vadim Soloviov Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie, March 16, 2001
SUMMARY:
Admiral of the Fleet Georgy Yegorov, former Chief of the General Staff of the Soviet Navy: Conclusions of the governmental commission under Klebanov are vague. General public and specialists of the Navy are misled. We do not need to know what caused the catastrophe only in order to punish somebody. The Navy and our shipbuilders need it. As I see it, top echelons of the Defense Ministry and Navy should interfere. The cruiser with its unique equipment should be reclaimed from the sea. Its crew should be commemorated.
Postponement of the operation for late autumn will complicate it enormously. On the other hand, the operation will be a success even were it to begin in September. We only have to prepare it thoroughly.
Professionals in the sphere of underwater rescue operations are needed on Klebanov’s commission. The commission will then be able to give practical recommendations.
