IASC 25 years | Page 19

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 00 01 Development 06 Appendices of IASC