Is this supposed to be an argument in favor of sinking civilian ships? From the linked article:

>The sinking was a cause of embarrassment to France and President François Mitterrand. They initially denied responsibility, but two French agents were captured by New Zealand Police and charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, willful damage, and murder.

It was embarassing because they got caught, it was against Greenpeace, and it was done in an ally's territory.

There's unlikely to be anywhere near as much outcry if Russian trawlers lurking around undersea cables start getting holes in them.