SOVIET POSTS IN ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 12

SOVIET POSTS IN ANTARCTIC

American Praises Co-operation

“NOTHING SECRETIVE IN ATTITUDE”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 21. There was nothing to indicate that the Russians in the Antarctic kept to themselves, and were using the international geophysical year programme to establish submarine bases there, said Mr J. Hanessian. an American who has returned from 1 the Antarctic, in Wellington today. He is the chief executive of the logistics group linking Naw and Air Force work to establish bases with the group of scientists who will mar them. He said the international geophysical year showed every sign of being a. co-operative venture.

Mr Hanessian. who in Antarctica insnected construction work on United States bases, said there was daily contact with the Russians by radio, as weather information was exchanged.

There had been no mutual visits, but that was simply because of the enormous distances, but when an American post at Vincent’s Bay was established, a visit from there to th*-nea-est Russian post was a possibility Mr Hanessian said Russian scientists showed every inclination to co-oper-, ate in the venture. At a Paris meeting in July, they had arrived with information only two weeks old There had been nothing secretive in their attitude.

Construction of the Polar base had been practically completed, said vlr Hanessian. It would be the first international geophysical year base in operation, though it had been expected that it would be the most difficult one to construct. It would be constantly manned by 17 persons—nine scientists and eight Seabees.

Reconnaissance parties had reached Marie Byrd Land and flagged the route to it from Little America, said Mr Hanessian. A cargo train was about half way there.