by Odd Rogne
IASC Founding Articles, Final Edition August 1990
The Icebreaker Krasin (1917)
« Prior to the Leningrad conference, I was approached by Sevmorgeologia (a state institute) that
owned the old and famous icebreaker Krasin with
the idea to making this icebreaker a floating science platform. The proposal was that it should be
a multi-national undertaking, and could be used
in all Arctic seas (outside the European Economic
Zone—EEZ). As this could become an opportunity
to implement at least an important ocean component of IASC, I agreed to lead consultations with
various countries during the Leningrad conference. No one could make commitments over the table, so the intention was to explore the interest
and get personal views. In general, the response
was overwhelming. Clearly, people would have to
consult at home both on the concept and about
funding. No exact budget was presented for rebuilding expenses and operating costs. One country said “we’ll take it all.” However, I had to point
to the idea of having it as a multinational undertaking and as a partnership. However, there clearly
was sufficient interest to proceed.
by Odd Rogne
My correspondence with the Russians in the
months that followed indicated disagreements on
the Russian side. There were people working for
the old and famous icebreaker to be turned into a
‘Note Verbale’
museum and in the end they won the internal discussions. Personally, I would have done the same.
« Although colleagues from non-Arctic countries
The answer as to ‘why’ they wanted to preserve
had been kept fairly well-informed about the plan-
the Krasin you can read in more detail in Wikipedia
ning of IASC, France, the Federal Republic of Germa-
using ‘Krasin 1917 icebreaker’ as a search word.
ny (FRG), the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
In hindsight, one could conclude that the outcome
(UK) formally approached all Arctic countries with
was right. However, it was a pity that there was
a ‘Note Verbale.’ This démarche came as a surprise
not a less famous platform being offered. If it had
to most of us, and revealed a lack of insight into
been implemented, we would have had a flying
the current situation. It was agreed that we should
start in circumarctic science cooperation. »
provide those countries with proper information, in
particular explaining to them about regional science needs vs. global science, and asking them for
patience until we had an agreed text.
See also: IASC. 1989: A personal note on the present situation, 3 April 1989.12
This was an insider´s comment. Please also see
Chapter 1.1.1. »
18
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01 Development
06 Appendices of IASC