http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/08/05...an.submarines/

U.S. eyes Russian submarines off East Coast

• Story Highlights Two nuclear-powered submarines have stayed in international waters
  U.S. monitoring subs but recognizes right to "freedom of navigation"
  Russia hasn't been able to send subs so far afield for years, official says
• "No need to overreact," U.S. official says

updated 4 minutes ago

• Next Article in U.S. »

From Chris Lawrence
CNN Pentagon Correspondent




WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two Russian attack submarines have been cruising in the Atlantic off the East Coast of the United States, a senior defense official said Wednesday.
Russian nuclear submarines such as this one have been spotted in the Atlantic Ocean.





Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said their presence is not causing alarms to go off.
"So long as they are operating in international waters, as, frankly, we do around the world, and are behaving in a responsible way, they are certainly free to do so, and it doesn't cause any alarm within this building," he said.
The Akula-class nuclear-powered submarines, which are normally equipped with surface-loaded cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles, have stayed in international waters, the source said. These are not the class of submarines that can launch intercontinental nuclear missiles.
The U.S. Navy has the capability to locate, identify and track submarine activity through satellites, ships, aircraft and classified systems.
"NORAD and U.S. Northern Command are aware of Russian submarine activity off the East Coast operating in international waters. We have been monitoring them during transit and recognize the right of all nations to exercise freedom of navigation in international waters according to international law," said Lt. Desmond James of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
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A Russian military spokesman said at a news conference in Moscow that the submarines' activities were "part of the normal process."
Defense officials told the New York Times that one of the Russian submarines was in international waters Tuesday about 200 miles off the coast of the United States. The location of the second was unclear.
It has been years since Russia operated near the U.S. seaboard, thousands of miles from home ports.
"What's interesting is, they haven't been able to do this in some time, and now they are. It indicates a return to their ability to do this," the senior defense official said.
He viewed the patrol as an example of Russia showing the United States and the world its expeditionary forces, part of a continuing trend. He said the Russians have recently been a partner in anti-piracy operations around the world. And last year the Russian Navy conducted a "tour around the world," pulling into ports throughout Latin America.
In December, a Russian spokesman said that tour demonstrated "Russia's ability to fly its naval flag and ensure protection of its national interests in the world theater."
U.S. officials downplayed the significance of the submarines operating off the U.S. coast.
"There is no need to overreact," the official said.
"This is not an issue of concern. It is all consistent with the internationally-recognized principle of freedom of navigation. As long as the vessels do not cross into territorial waters, they are free to navigate any open waters," another official said.
Officials have said this is the naval equivalent to Russian bomber missions close to U.S. and other countries' borders.

"It is Russia again trying to assert its influence and trying to show they have a relevant military," a third defense official said. E-mail to a friend


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yeah no biggie, we have 12 miles out thats ours, so they wont mess with it, they have all the right in the international law to be conducting excersises out there.

All those exclamation points in the title for a non-newsworthy routine non-issue?

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Bukkake Bud: It might taste like splooge but shoots smiles all over your face.
When you'll suck on just about anything~think Bukkake.

Non Issue... We have an ANTI-RUSSIAN ADMIN.

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It is far from routine. I am not an alarmist... but the Russians are flexing. They haven't been that close to us in decades... they are testing US response. It is not a good sign... and is DEFINITELY worth noting.

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Well if they bump into the east coast and then part of california falls into the sea let me know, otherwise it's just another day like any other.

Wait I mean "It's just another day like any other!!!!!!!!!!!!"

__________________
Bukkake Bud: It might taste like splooge but shoots smiles all over your face.
When you'll suck on just about anything~think Bukkake.

LMAO... now there is a false flag op I could get behind... (jk)


It is an issue of the Russians wanting us to feel less secure... and at this moment in our history... it is not a particularly good sign.

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It seems as though they have to prove they are still a major military force - which they aren't. Russia is a mess, and their economy is hopeless without US financial support,

The time to be worried was in the 60's and the 70's and we were. Not to day we won't see nuclear annihilation in out life times

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"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." - Thomas Jefferson my grow

News Flash! China is drilling for oil off of the Florida coast!!!!!!!!!

Funny .... I haven't heard about that on MSNBC.

Vi

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Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.