Russian Official: "Perhaps They Got Lost." Three American Diplomats Removed From Russian Train In Area They Didn't Have Permission To Be In
[quote]MOSCOW — Russia removed three American diplomats from a train heading to an Arctic town near the site of a recent nuclear accident, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday.
The removal occurred on Monday in the shipyard town of Severodvinsk, according to Interfax, a Russian news agency. The diplomats were about to take a train to Nenoksa, the village closest to the military testing site where a mysterious explosion in August left seven people dead and caused a spike in radiation levels miles away.
Both Nenoksa and Severodvinsk, which stand about 25 miles apart, are closed cities that require foreigners to obtain a special permit from the authorities before arriving. Russians must also gain special approval to enter Nenoksa.
A State Department spokesperson said in an email on Wednesday that the American diplomats “were on official travel and had properly notified Russian authorities of their travel.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry acknowledged the fact that the diplomats had notified the Russian Defense Ministry about their plans, according to Interfax.
“But they only stated their plans to visit Arkhangelsk,” the ministry said, referring to the regional capital, about 26 miles east of Severodvinsk. “Then they appeared on the Nenoksa-Severodvisnk train,” the statement continued. “Perhaps they got lost.”[/quote]
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-stops-u-diplomats-en-122102382.html
The removal occurred on Monday in the shipyard town of Severodvinsk, according to Interfax, a Russian news agency. The diplomats were about to take a train to Nenoksa, the village closest to the military testing site where a mysterious explosion in August left seven people dead and caused a spike in radiation levels miles away.
Both Nenoksa and Severodvinsk, which stand about 25 miles apart, are closed cities that require foreigners to obtain a special permit from the authorities before arriving. Russians must also gain special approval to enter Nenoksa.
A State Department spokesperson said in an email on Wednesday that the American diplomats “were on official travel and had properly notified Russian authorities of their travel.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry acknowledged the fact that the diplomats had notified the Russian Defense Ministry about their plans, according to Interfax.
“But they only stated their plans to visit Arkhangelsk,” the ministry said, referring to the regional capital, about 26 miles east of Severodvinsk. “Then they appeared on the Nenoksa-Severodvisnk train,” the statement continued. “Perhaps they got lost.”[/quote]
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-stops-u-diplomats-en-122102382.html
36-40, F
