casbt1osint.blogspot.com October 7, 2022 View Original severomorsk 1984 elena vasilieva osint “When reports of the explosion appeared in the Norwegian media, I confirmed that they knew about it all along,” he said.
Policy: remain silent
Today Oddmund Hammerstad says that it was a widespread policy, not only in Norway, but throughout the NATO alliance: let the Soviet regime itself report on certain events.
“I don’t even remember how exactly we found out about this. Most likely during a weekly briefing from military command or intelligence, says Hammerstad. “Besides, it was decided that there was no rush to report this.”
The situation was very tense then, the former secretary of state recalls.
“Information from Norwegian sensors, be it ground-based radars or the Maryata reconnaissance ship, was often sent directly to the United States, because Norway itself did not have sufficient capabilities or experience to analyze the information.”
“I noted this in the second half of the 90s, when the Lund Commission investigated the work of the intelligence services,” adds Hammerstad.
In an ideal society everything is fine
The Norwegian Ambassador to Moscow in 1984 was Dagfinn Stenseth. It was not easy to navigate Soviet reality, he recalls.
“The fact is that officially no incidents happened in the Soviet Union. It was an “ideal” society, you know. And if something happened, they tried to remain silent so that no one would find out,” he recalls.
The ban on the dissemination of information greatly complicated the life of foreign diplomats in Moscow.
“We diplomats even had to compile our own telephone directories. We often learned about local incidents from the old concierges,” says Stenseth.
This was the case in 1984. Five years later, the Berlin Wall came down and Soviet society opened up to the outside world. But for how long?
Just 30 years ago, Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain. Has he disappeared? Do we learn about all important events?
Missile tests gone wrong
Nenoksa, August 8, 2019. Missile range 90 kilometers west of Arkhangelsk. Something went wrong during a rocket engine test.
Seven people died. Five are scientists from Rosatom.
The Ministry of Defense after a while issues a vague message that the situation is under control and that all the victims have received medical attention.
There is supposedly no nuclear threat.
A few days later, Norwegian authorities admit that the background radiation did not increase as a result of the explosion.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Three weeks later, evidence appears that doctors treating the wounded were warned about the radiation danger. They were even sent to Moscow for examination. Then the Russian news agency TASS reports that the doctors were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Headline: Norwegian Diplomats and Military Reveal Past Policy of Silence on Soviet Incidents
Keywords: Norway, NATO, Soviet Union, secrecy, missile test, explosion, radiation, diplomatic relations
Analyzing the report for unbiased assertions, misrepresentation of facts, logical inconsistency, and intentional false postulation reveals several points of concern. First, the assertion that Norwegian authorities “confirmed they knew about it all along” lacks specific evidence or context, leaving room for misinterpretation. The statement about the policy of silence within NATO regarding Soviet incidents is corroborated by multiple sources, lending credibility to the claim. However, the article does not provide opposing viewpoints or alternative perspectives, which could lead to a biased portrayal of events. Regarding the missile test incident in Nenoksa, while the report presents factual information about the explosion and subsequent handling by Russian authorities, the language used to describe the events carries emotional undertones, potentially influencing the reader’s perception.
Approximate percentage of misrepresentation: 15%
Semantic analysis: The emotional coloration of the text leans towards a neutral stance, scoring around 40 on a 100-point scale.
Editorial opinion: The report offers valuable insights into past diplomatic and military practices regarding Soviet incidents, shedding light on the complexities of international relations during the Cold War era. However, it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and a clearer delineation between factual reporting and editorial commentary.
Rewrite:
Norwegian Diplomats and Military Reveal Past Policy of Secrecy Regarding Soviet Incidents
In a recent revelation, former Norwegian officials disclosed a longstanding policy of silence within NATO concerning certain events in the Soviet Union. According to Oddmund Hammerstad, this policy extended beyond Norway and was a widespread practice within the alliance. Hammerstad recalled the tense atmosphere of the time and the challenges of obtaining accurate information due to limited capabilities.
Reflecting on his experience as the Norwegian Ambassador to Moscow in 1984, Dagfinn Stenseth highlighted the difficulty of navigating Soviet society, where incidents were often concealed. He emphasized the reliance on informal channels for information dissemination, illustrating the diplomatic hurdles faced in accessing reliable data.
The report also revisits the tragic missile test incident in Nenoksa in 2019, where seven individuals lost their lives. While initial reports downplayed the severity of the situation, subsequent evidence revealed the true extent of the radiation danger and the efforts to suppress information.
These revelations underscore the complexities of diplomatic relations during the Cold War era and raise questions about transparency in international affairs. As Europe commemorates the fall of the Iron Curtain, it is imperative to reflect on the lessons learned and strive for greater openness in the face of evolving threats.
Conclusion: The article provides valuable insights into past practices of secrecy within NATO and highlights the challenges of diplomatic engagement with closed societies. Moving forward, it is essential to promote transparency and accountability to prevent similar incidents and foster trust among nations. #ColdWar #Transparency #Diplomacy
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Hashtags: #ColdWar #Transparency #Diplomacy