Update: The walls of the transit lounge began to close in on Edward Snowden, Sunday. After applying to 15 countries for political asylum, he finally asked America's Cold War adversary, Russia, for refuge. His application was hand delivered to a Russian consulate in Terminal F of Sheremyetevo Airport. President Putin indicated previously that an application for asylum from Snowden would be considered. A prominent member of the President's party said in regard to Snowden's status, "It seems to me that Snowden is the greatest pacifist. This person has done no less to win the Nobel Peace Prize than Barack Obama."
Clearly, he will have more information of
value to share with Russian officials than Lee Harvey Oswald did. President Putin has put only one public qualifier on Snowden remaining: "If he wants to stay here, there is one condition--he must stop his work aimed at bringing harm to our American partners, as strange as that sounds coming from my mouth." Strange indeed, Comrade President, since most of the damage has already been done by the United States government.
 |
[credit: Christopher Weyant, The Hill]
Wackydoodle sez: Buba Putin says "Nyet" for the ring. |
{28.06.13} Rusty the red panda returned home to the National Zoo where he is reported to be having normal
bowel movements, but Edward is stranded in the transit lounge limbo of Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow as Ecuador weighs the pros and cons of his request for refugee status. Ecuadorian officials indicated it could take them months to decide on his request; it took two months to give Julian Assange asylum. However, the Ecuadorian government
has decided to annul the preferred trade status agreement with the US to prevent "blackmail" to discourage granting Snowden's request for political asylum.
Moscow has given the leaker temporary protection since Russia does not have a formal extradition treaty with the United States. President Putin implausibly denied Russia's security services have been in contact with the American, and called accusations that Russia is harboring a fugitive from justice, "nonsense and rubbish".
Snowden's passport was revoked by the US State Department after he flew to Hong Kong last week. According to Wikileaks' Julian Assange, who is himself ensconced in Ecuador's London embassy, Ecuador issued Snowden temporary travel papers, but Ecuadorian officials have
denied their validity, indicating a split of opinion over Snowden's status. Is he an espionage agent as the US charges, or is he a human rights activist who ripped the cover off
vast domestic spying in the United States? An anonymous Russian source told the
Guardian that Snowden has no valid travel documents in hand.
Barry Dos publicly indicated
he does not intend to deal with the Russians for Snowden's return. Snowden may be forced to do his own dealing for legal status, if Ecuador decides against him. However, resorting to a trade for security secrets would damage his public image as a whistle blowing hero and confirm him in the
close-mindedas a
rat fink "traitor". Some
hot-headed reactionaries in Congress have already so
framed him. Snowden is believed to have extensive knowledge of the inner workings of
NSA domestic surveillance activities. An American official
insulted the governments of China and Russia while attempting to coax them into arresting the asylum seeker, saying Snowden has belied his claim to be protecting individual rights and democracy by seeking protections from China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. China shot back by praising Snowden for "tearing off Washington's sanctimonious mask".
US Person thinks it is all warmed-over Cold War rhetoric, but his empathy goes out to Edward wherever he may be.
US Person's advice: mind the dirty beds in old Florentine pensions.
[credit: J.D. Crowe, Mobile Register]
Wackydoodle: Y'all got change for the Coke machine?
