Kursk Officer's Parents Visiting Italy

Parents of deceased Colonel Andrei Rudakov, Kursk communications officer, are arriving in Rome Thursday. The deceased submariner's parents had received invitations from Rome's municipal authorities and Italian association of St. Barbara, patroness of sailors, firemen, sappers, miners and other life-endangering professions. At a ceremony, to be held in Rieti Saturday, Andrei Rudakov's parents will be presented an emblem symbolizing valour and heroism. Three American firemen who were saving human lives and extinguishing fire after the terrorist attacks on September 11 in New York City have been also invited to the ceremony. They will receive similar emblems. Russian Ambassador to Italy Nikolai Spasski, representatives of the local Russian community, diplomats, Italian public figures and the mayor of Rieti will be present at the ceremony.