US warships to visit Russian naval bases in 2011

08.04.2011 US deputy naval attaché in Russia Erick Stevens arrived in Murmansk. According to him, a US warship will pay a visit to Murmansk in 2011.

US Navy ships will visit Russia's Baltic, Pacific, and Northern fleets in 2011, said Stevens. Roughly, American warships will call at Baltiysk, Vladivostok, and Murmansk; those visits will strengthen good relations between Russian and American people, added the officer. As for him, US warship is supposed to call at Murmansk in Aug-Sept. Deputy naval attaché told that the visit to Baltic Fleet's main naval base Baltiysk would be held a bit earlier, presumably late in July. A US Navy ship plans to participate in Russian Navy Day's festivities on the last Sunday of July. Vladivostok will meet Americans twice in 2011 – on US Independence Day on July 4 and in the fall. According to US Consulate General in St. Petersburg Sheila Gwaltney headed an official delegation, the forthcoming visits are not only a port calls but another token of respect for Russia, and clear evidence of developing cooperation between the two navies. Visits will strengthen good relations between Russian and American people, cites her inonews.ru.

Recall that the last time American warship visited Murmansk was last autumn. Frigate USS Taylor anchored off Murmansk in Sept 2010. Foreign sailors took part in sport games with the crew of Russian warship Kondopoga. Unfortunately, the frigate was not open for public. Perhaps, residents of Murmansk would be luckier this time.