To The Crew of Kursk: It seems that farewell is the appropriate message. Wish that it were not so. You should know that many grieve for you. National borders have no boundry for the sadness and sense of helplessness many of us felt as we learned of your impending fate. May you be at peace.

And may all nations accept and seek help when faced with problems such as this. Nations have a responsibility to their armed forces, to do whatever is necessary, including resisting behavior which seems in this case to have crippled possible rescue. Damn national ego. Hopefully these lives will open the dialogue in a spirit of cooperation.

bflat