Russia refuses to share data
about deadly nuclear explosion
 |
| Buildings at a military base in the small town of Nyonoska (AFP) |
Russia says it is not obligated to share data about an
explosion with a suspected nuclear-powered cruise missile that killed at least
five nuclear engineers and caused a brief spike in radiation. The announcement
came after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed there was no threat from
the accident.
By Stefan J. Bos
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says it is
Russia's choice, not an obligation, to share data with other nations under the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
He also condemned the United States for testing
on Sunday a cruise missile off the coast of California. That rocket
was previously banned by another nuclear treaty from which both nations
recently withdrew.
The Russian diplomat's remarks did not directly address
reports that information on radiation levels following this month's rocket
accident was not shared with the world.
That mysterious accident that killed and injured several
people on the White Sea in northwestern Russia and changing or contradictory
information from Moscow has led to global concerns about what happened and what
type of weapon was involved.
Critics had raised comparisons to the 1986 disaster at the
Chernobyl nuclear power plant when Moscow was also reluctant to share
information.
No Threat
But Russian President Vladimir Putin claims there is no
threat from the deadly explosion at the secretive naval weapons testing range.
Heard through an interpreter, he tried to play down fears
about radiation leaks. "I am getting from civilian and military experts,
and we do not see any changes [in radioation]. But we are taking preventive
measures so that there are no surprises," he told media.
"Unfortunately there have been casualties, and there
were people who were injured. And they will receive awards; they were doing a
very important job," Putin added.
The Russian leader spoke in France where he and French
President Emmanuel Macron vowed to give a new boost to peace talks with
Ukraine and to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union.
Ukraine and to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union.
However, they disagreed on other issues, such as Syria and
the Russian crackdown on opposition protests.
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