Russian Foreign Ministry forwards note of protest to Argentine embassy

The Russian Foreign Ministry has addressed a note of protest to Juan Carlos Sanchez Arnau, Argentine Ambassador to Russia, in connection with an Argentine patrol vessel's firing at a Russian fish trawler, the Odoyevsk, this past Thursday.

According to the information and press department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Argentine Ambassador was summoned to the ministry headquarters on June 15. Russian diplomats pointed out to Mr. Sanchez that the use of military force against a peaceful civil vessel was unjustifiable.

The Russian side urged Argentina's government to take appropriate measures to prevent any such actions in future and to organize an unbiased and comprehensive investigation into the June 13 incident, foreign ministry spokespeople report.

Both sides expressed confidence that the incident would not affect the traditionally friendly Russo-Argentine relations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that Argentine law-enforcement agencies will launch a detailed probe into the case and inform the Russian side of its results.

No one of the crew was injured as the Odoyevsk came under fire on June 13, yet serious material damage was caused to the vessel.