Russian colonels lecture at UQ

Russian colonels lecture at UQ
Two high-ranking Russian officers will visit Brisbane on Monday, May 14 as part of an Australian visit at the invitation of The University of Queensland's History Department.

Senior lecturer in Russian history Dr Thomas Poole said the Colonels, who are eminent military historians from Moscow, had accepted UQ's invitation to Australia.

"Colonel Vitaly Bogdanov and Naval Captain First Rank Valery Vartanov (a rank equivalent to Colonel) are doctors of science. They currently work at the Institute of Military History, Moscow, and are in Australia to lecture at the Australian Defence Force Academy and Staff College, Canberra.

"Colonel Bogdanov is the author of many standard works on military science, specialising in counter-insurgency and local conflicts, while Captain Vartanov is an expert on the Armed Forces of China and North Korea.

"I expect they will have some interesting comments on China and the spy plane affair, and on President Bush's Missile Defence Shield.

"We are delighted they will share their knowledge with University of Queensland students at a lunchtime seminar entitled The New Russian Army: Vision for the Future on Monday.

Dr Poole said it was unusual to have two such eminent officers on Australian soil. As well as briefing the Armed Forces on military matters during their visit, they would also consult on a proposed project involving Pacific Films and TV.

"This company provided some development money which allowed me to go to Moscow in September to consult with the Insitute of Military History on a proposed joint project to be called Kremlin Files: The Unknown Wars of the Soviet Army.

"The project would use archival film, some never before seen, from public and military archives, from various conflicts.

"My role has been to provide the liaison between film producers here and film producers in Moscow and military historians. If the project proceeds, I will be an historical consultant."

The UQ History Department seminar on Monday, 14 May, will be held from 1pm to 2pm at the Gordon Greenwood Building Room 308, Campbell Road.

The visit of the Colonels to Australia has been facilitated by the Australian Ambassador in Moscow, Ruth Pierce, and the Army History Unit in Canberra and was planned by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra and Moscow.

Media: For further information, Dr Thomas Poole telephone (Monday) on 3365 6639, email t.poole@mailbox.uq.edu.au