Majority Of Kursk Cables Already Disconnected

Igor Dygalo, aide to the Russian navy's C-in-C, told RIA Novosti today that as of 11.00 Moscow time, 17 out of 26 cables attached to the Kursk nuclear submarine had already been disconnected. According to him, once all 26 cables have been removed, the operation to submerge the floating dock and disconnect it from the Giant-4 barge can begin. The aide did not rule out that this stage could be delayed by worsening weather conditions later in the day. Dygalo stressed that the operation to put the Kursk in dock was proceeding according to the plan and "in strict compliance with all safety requirements." He also said the radiation levels were normal.