MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax-AVN) - The tragedies similar to the one that happened to the Russian Kursk submarine are unavoidable until the civilized rights on underwater swimming are established, Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vyacheslav Popov told the Rossijskaya Gazeta newspaper on Wednesday.
Russia insists on the establishment of the rules for underwater swimming which are to be like those for surface swimming, Popov said. The latest version of international rules on vessels clashes prevention was approved in 1972. "All sailors worldwide know them by heart. They are definitely like traffic regulations in the ocean. At the same time there is a total chaos in the underwater swimming," Popov added.
According to him, the Russian party already proposed to develop general rules. "For example, the combat training areas in coastal zones which are 50 to 60 miles from the coast should be given restricted access for foreign submarines especially during exercise. Though the Americans will not agree to the matter," Popov went on.
"Until we had the sword-law, until we could compete on equal positions it was more or less okay. But the Russian Navy was decreased three times in comparison with the USSR one and led to dramatic reduction of foreign sea voyages for we have to secure our own borders. That is why the one who has the sword-law is getting more and more used to the fact that he rules the World Ocean. I will say what I think, the competitor who won over is more interested in our part of the guilt for controversial triangles and gray zones. That is how it is easier for him to hide and enforce his rules of underwater behavior," Popov added.
The USA also officially confirmed that two U.S. and one British submarine were near the Northern Fleet training area in August 2000. The American ones were named the Memphis and Toledo. They were 200 miles from the dying Kursk site. "It means that the submarines did not clash, did not touch anything and did not send SOS messages from the K quadrate where the Kursk was dying though the Kursk was unable to send such signals. Then-defense minister requested to observe the submarines but the U.S. party refused to permit it. And do they really need any alibi?" Popov stressed.
No matter what version out of 12 of the Kursk death is right it is absolutely clear that in the current context of disrespect to international surface swimming rights and its complete absence under water such recrudescence is possible, Popov said.