Friday, April 27, 2018

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT: A close-up view of 1 Russian Base in the "Circle Of iron" -----Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada


Bonavista, Newfoundland----Home to one of the largest Russian bases 
in this hemisphere.


                      A view of  the town of Bonavista and its coastline----A scenic                                       location for a powerful military installation.


                                                       Boardwalk view of the town.
                Bonavista is a popular summer vacation destination, with good                                         restaurants, cheerful taverns and comfortable motels, although the                                  base itself  is strictly off-limits to non-Russians.


                  Local merchants, Bethany Bauer and Carol Hodge, say, "Our                                               store has fared well since the base was built. I think some 
                   of the base personnel like to send items back to families in Russia,                                     and that helps sales, for sure. Have we had any problems
                   with base personnel? I would have to say, nyet, to that."
                   "They do wear funny hats, though."

                                   

                                 Holly Tkachuk, co-owner of the Bonavista Tavern and Motel:
                                "We get no problems with anyone from the base, and they spend 
                                 quite a bit of money in the town, including right here. Occasionally,
                                 we get an intoxicated Russian sleeping in a snowbank, or swimming 
                                 out to an iceberg, but that's about it. 
                                 No fights, no brawls, very little impoliteness even. 
                                 It's all good, as far as I'm concerned.
                                 As long as I have plenty of Stoli on hand, I'm fine.
                                 But top quality Canadian whiskey still beats Vodka, in my opinion."           



                                                           Patrick Bernier, ship-owner:
                 "I think the base is good for the town, and maybe even international relations
                  as well. The Naval vessels steer clear of commercial ships, and we stay away 
                  from them, so that's no concern. Everybody seems to get along just fine here, 
                  and there's no disrespect, either way, that I have experienced. The Russians
                  don't like Canadian Bacon much, though, and I am a bit offended by that."


Russian Naval Officers, Victor Nemchinov and Vasily Malkin.
"No one is upset at all that we are here to preserve the strategic balance,
and maintain peace. It is a beautiful place, an important job,
and it is an honor to serve here", says Commander Malkin.
"The french fries they serve in town are the best anywhere.
I would die to defend them",
adds Nemchinov.



                                       Local fishermen, Larry Howe and Rick Turnbull.
                     Turnbull: "Everybody treats everybody else with respect, as far as I can see.
                      Heck, one time our motor conked out a few miles offcoast, and a Russian                              vessel noticed our problem, came right over and towed us back in. 
                      When we meet in town, we tend to talk hockey a lot."



Russian Technical officer, Alexei Maltsev:
"When I'm off-duty, I like to relax by just walking around the town. It has very attractive scenery here.  I'm from Siberia, so the weather they have seems very mild to me. 
I just wish there were more single women. But you can't have everything."


As close as you can get.
A photograph shows the outside edge of the bases's radar array (far right).
Rumors that the array was actually a Russian HAARP machine 
have never been confirmed.
Photographs of the base are forbidden by international agreement, 
so even taking this picture was risky, although there have been no repercussions.




2 Russian Officers (top and right) drink outside in a snowstorm with Canadians,
Mike Malone and Eddie Bourque. We like to do a lot of the same things, like drink, sing and follow hockey. Many of them speak English, which is good, 'cause I can't even say a sentence in Russian", says Bourque.
"But mainly, we just say, 'fill her up'."



                                                            Risky comrades?
                            Could Russian-Canadian compatibility pose a 
                     security problem for the US?  Only time will tell.





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