RESTRICTED
021620
MDTTAN 5758
8.
IZVESTIA HAVE WORKED HARD ON THIS INVESTIGATION OVER THE YEARS AND ONE OF THE AUTHORS, ANDREI ILLESH, TOLD REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES IN GRAPHIC TERMS OF HIS BELIEF ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED UNDERWATER DURING THE FAMILIES' MEETING IN MOSCOW EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE RUSSIANS WILL NO DOUBT USE THE ICAO REPORT TO AVOID PAYING AS MUCH COMPENSATION AS THE FAMILIES DEMAND, CITING THE US, JAPAN AND, PRESUMABLY, KAL FOR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE. THE FAMILIES FACE A LONG BATTLE.
SIGNED.
W L EGERTON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
MAIN
SINGLE COPIES
EASTERN D//SUSAN SPELLER
HKD//J MARSHALL
AMD//S LOVETT
CONSULAR D//MS CATHERINE JAMES
NNNN