French rescuers awarded for rescue operation off Sochi
by Dmitry Gorokhov
ITAR-TASS News Agency
July 7, 2006 Friday
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin has handed in awards to a
group of French rescues who took part in a rescue operation in the
area of a plane crash of the Armenian airlines company off the Russian
city of Sochi. The ceremony was held at the residence of the Russian
ambassador to France on Friday.
"When the catastrophe occurred, I telephoned my French counterpart
Dominique Perben, and they gave us help," the Russian minister told
Tass. " It was a common mischief, and at times of hardships France,
Russia and Armenia pooled efforts," Levitin said.
"For the first time the flight recorders were lifted from the depth
of 500 meters on the bottom of the Black Sea. Russian rescuers did
that with the help of their equipment. France provided more equipment
and sent its experts." Levitin said.
The Russian minister summed up the results of the talks held in
France. During a meeting at the French Transport Ministry on Thursday
the two sides decided to strengthen interaction in all fields. "We
have very many points of contact with France," the Russian minister
stressed.