BRUSSELS. Aug 20 (Interfax-AVN) - A well-organized pirate consortium stands behind the seizure of the Arctic Sea vessel, Russia's Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.
"Instead of speculating on what cargo was aboard the Arctic Sea and inventing all sorts of stories, which their authors think can explain Russia's decision to send its navy to rescue and free the all-Russian crew, everyone, including European officials, should draw serious lessons from this story," Rogozin told Interfax on Wednesday.
Rogozin was commenting on media reports and assertions by politicians and analysts, claiming the vessel could have been carrying nuclear equipment and materials, or illicit drugs, or weapons.
He made mention of a statement by ex-commander of the Estonia Defense Forces and now EU rapporteur Tarmo Kouts to the effect that Russia could be illegally carrying cruise missiles to Iran.
"It is time everyone at last understood that all pirate attacks - those carried out by Somali pirates and the most recent one against the Arctic Sea - are linked to "a well- organized network," he said. It is becoming increasingly clear today that ships can be seized in different parts of the world, including near Europe, Rogozin said.
The geography of pirate attacks will be expanding, covering not only the Indian Ocean, but also the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and Europe's Northern seas, he said.
"So, instead of wagging their tongues, the European officials should think how this new threat can be dealt with," said Rogozin.