Today it was first announced that Edward Snowden was not in Russia and had never been there. At that point it looked like the news about Moscow was a gambit from WikiLeaks to create disinformation to protect Snowden. (The Guardian: Edward Snowden never crossed border into Russia, says foreign minister)
However, it has now been announced by Putin that Snowden has been at the Moscow airport all along. (The Guardian: Putin: Edward Snowden in Moscow aiport but will not be extradited)
The key point to his position in Russia is that there is no extradition treaty with the US. Snowden has broken no laws in the country and they have no reason to arrest him or turn him over to the US.
The posturing coming out of Washington and the disingenuous rubbish about what the NSA has been doing are alienating more and more people around the world. While the American people have been largely silent, it's not unanimous and a petition demanding a pardon for Edward Snowden has over one hundred thousand signatures. With that many, a response from the White House is mandated. (Huffington Post: Edward Snowden Pardon Petition Passes 100,000 Signatures)
I'm becoming more optimistic Snowden will remain free and the US will be forced to address in total transparency what the NSA has been doing. The world is outraged and nothing but transparency will come even close to settling this. The current display of arrogance is only making it worse.
However, it has now been announced by Putin that Snowden has been at the Moscow airport all along. (The Guardian: Putin: Edward Snowden in Moscow aiport but will not be extradited)
The key point to his position in Russia is that there is no extradition treaty with the US. Snowden has broken no laws in the country and they have no reason to arrest him or turn him over to the US.
The posturing coming out of Washington and the disingenuous rubbish about what the NSA has been doing are alienating more and more people around the world. While the American people have been largely silent, it's not unanimous and a petition demanding a pardon for Edward Snowden has over one hundred thousand signatures. With that many, a response from the White House is mandated. (Huffington Post: Edward Snowden Pardon Petition Passes 100,000 Signatures)
I'm becoming more optimistic Snowden will remain free and the US will be forced to address in total transparency what the NSA has been doing. The world is outraged and nothing but transparency will come even close to settling this. The current display of arrogance is only making it worse.
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