Published: 12/04/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)
US Navy denies Iran claims over sub
By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: The US Navy yesterday denied claims that
one of its nuclear submarines was forced to leave the Arabian Gulf after
Iran protested that it had contaminated the waters.
"The Los Angeles-class attack submarine Newport
News left the Arabian Gulf after it successfully completed sea trials in
February proving that the submarine was ready for the approximately 9,000
mile transit back to its homeport," Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, Commander of
the US Fifth Fleet, yesterday told Gulf News.
"Safety is always of paramount concern to all
professional mariners operating in and around the Gulf. That is why we
conducted rigorous sea trials for Newport News in connection with her
departure from the Gulf to ensure her return to homeport in the US would
be safe and uneventful," he said.
According to the Navy's top man in Bahrain, the
Newport News left in early March. The fast-attack submarine has already
been replaced, he said. The Newport News received temporary repairs to its
bow in Bahrain following a collision with a Japanese tanker on January 8
near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian television said yesterday that while in
Bahrain the Newport News had leaked chemical and radioactive substances
into the Arabian Gulf. "The incident has provoked Iranian officials who
warned Bahrain of the environmental consequences of allowing the damaged
submarine to remain in the Gulf," it said.
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/04/12/10117630.html
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