Word: accidentally
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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WASHINGTON--A nuclear-powered Soviet submarine appears to have sunk more than 300 miles off the coast of Norway after suffering an underwater accident and catching fire, U.S. and Norwegian officials said yesterday.
They said the submarine managed to surface for a time in the Norwegian Sea after the accident occurred and that at least one Soviet ship had responded to a distress call and arrived on the scene.
White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said the accident appeared to involve a Soviet "Mike" submarine--one of the Russian Navy's newer attack subs designed to hunt and destroy other submarines in the event of war.
"The unilateral moderation imposed on both sides by their own internal priorities turns out--I think not entirely by accident but also not entirely by logical necessity--to have special impact on forces that have long been of special concern to the other side," Bundy said.
Aside from the damage to marine life, the spill seemed certain to have an impact in another area. Environmentalists will use the accident as ammunition in their fight against further oil development in Alaska, particularly U.S. plans to permit drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.