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Russian and Australian primary sources were examined in an attempt to reconstruct the voyage of the first composite Soviet Antarctic expedition to Antarctica and from thence to Leningrad [St Petersburg]. This expedition had the aim of constructing a base for the Soviet International Geophysical Year (IGY) commitment. In a time of cold war tension and unresolved Antarctic claims, the Australian and New Zealand governments were wary of Soviet intentions and barely tolerated visits by Soviet expeditions. However, in their interactions with Australians and New Zealanders, the Soviets were careful to underline the friendly nature of their visits and avoided any sensitive political questions. The two governments’ apparent lack of enthusiasm for Ob and Lena entering their ports after fulfilling their task in Antarctica is contrasted with the generally more enthusiastic attitude of the Australian and New Zealand scientists and expedition members, with whom the Soviet personnel came into contact, some of whom developed lasting scientific relationships with the visitors.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	History and Archaeology
Research Group:	Historical Studies
Research Field:	Australian History (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History)
Objective Division:	Law, Politics and Community Services
Objective Group:	International Relations
Objective Field:	International Relations not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Gan, I (Dr Irina Gan)
ID Code:	54209
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	IASOS
Deposited On:	2009-02-12
Last Modified:	2010-10-06
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