Norway fears raising Russian sub will increase radiation risk
Russia has been warned the risk of a radiation accident in the Arctic will increase if it rushes its attempt to raise the Kursk.
The submarine sank last year, killing all 118 crewmen aboard. Russia plans to raise it in an operation to begin this month and last until September.
Norway's Nuclear Protection Board has expressed concern about the short time schedule.
The submarine, which has nuclear reactors and unexploded torpedoes aboard, is laying under 356 feet of water.
The wreck is near rich fishing grounds of the Barents Sea, north of Norway and Russia.
The Norwegian board asked Russia for more information about the planned operation, saying it sees the risk of an accident as small but present.
Board spokesman Per Strand said: "There is a risk of the raising operation itself going wrong, that they, for example, lose the submarine. That could result in the reactor being more damaged.
"The Barents Sea is one of the world's cleanest oceans, and it is not desirable to have any kind of uncertainty about the important fisheries resources in that area."
Russian navy officials have insisted that the operation, to be led by the Dutch salvage company Smit International, is safe.
Russia and international divers plan to drill 26 holes in the 14,000 ton wreck to attach lifting cables from a giant barge on the surface. The Kursk would then be brought to the port of Murmansk, in northwestern Russia.
