Edward Snowden flies to Moscow

[Guest hitoallusa]

He should not have gone to Hong Kong or Russia. Not sure whether he is ill informed or not. Why would he go to Russia after Hong Kong.. What's exactly on his mind?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/edward-snowden-completely-botched-blowing-155500857.html

[ihpguy]

He was tired of all of the twice-cooked pork in Hong Kong and had one of those WTF moments. Nothing at the moment sounded better than some caviar blinis and frozen vodka. Quite a splendid combination. Yum! Yum!

[AdamSmith]

What's exactly on his mind?

To keep his ass the fuck out of the solitary confinement and torture routine currently enjoyed by Bradley Manning?

[Guest hitoallusa]

Post deleted..

[AdamSmith]

Post deleted..

Tease!

[AdamSmith]

Trapped in Transit: Orwellian Moscow airport hotel

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IAN PHILLIPS June 28, 2013

SHEREMETYEVO AIRPORT (AP) — "An interesting route, Mr. Phillips," says the airport transit desk employee. "This activity makes for suspicion."

It was the start of an Orwellian adventure in which I deliberately got myself sequestered in the hopes of finding Edward Snowden at Moscow's main airport.

The experience leaves me feeling that if the NSA leaker is indeed in the transit zone of the airport, as President Vladimir Putin claims, he may already have a taste of what it's like to be in prison.

Snowden is possibly holed up in the wing of an airport hotel reserved for travelers in transit who don't have visas to enter Russia. The Novotel's main building, located outside the airport, has a plush lobby with a fountain, a trendy bar and luxury shops. One wing, however, lies within the airport's transit zone — a kind of international limbo that is not officially Russian territory.

And that's where Snowden, whose U.S. passport has been revoked, may be hiding.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Eastern Europe News Director Ian Phillips flew from his home base of Prague in the Czech Republic to Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport with the goal of getting to the bottom of the mystery of fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden. What followed was a surreal 21 hours.

This photo taken Thursday, June 27, 2013 shows a view of the lobby of the Novotel Hotel in Moscow's …

___

The woman at the transit desk raises an eyebrow and stares at my flight itinerary, which includes a 21-hour layover in Moscow before a connection to Ukraine. "Why would ANYONE stay here in transit for so long? There are so many earlier connections you could have taken. This is strange behavior."

After a nearly two-hour wait inside the terminal, a bus picks me up — only me — from the transit area. We drive slowly across the tarmac, through a barrier, past electronic gates covered in barbed wire and security cameras.

The main part of the Novotel is out of bounds. My allotted wing feels like a lockup: You are obliged to stay in your room, except for brief walks along the corridor. Three cameras track your movements along the hallway and beam the images back to a multiscreen monitor. It's comforting to see a sign instructing me that, in case of an emergency, the locks on heavily fortified doors leading to the elevators will open.

When I try to leave my room, the guard outside springs to his feet. I ask him why room service isn't responding and if there's any other way to get food. He growls: "Extension 70!" I rile him by asking about the Wi-Fi, which isn't working: "Extension 75!" he snarls.

"Don't worry, Mr. Phillips," the transit desk employee had said. "We have all your details and information. We will come and get you from your room at 6 p.m. on Friday, one hour before your connecting flight."

Now it's midnight, and I'm getting edgy. I feel trapped inside my airless room, whose double windows are tightly sealed. And the room is extortionate: It costs $300 a night, with a surcharge of 50 percent slapped on because I will be staying past noon.

This photo taken on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 shows a view of the Novotel Hotel in Moscow's Sheremety …

("Can't I just wait in the lobby after midday?" I asked the receptionist at check-in. "Of course not," she retorted. "You have no visa. You will stay until you are picked up.")

I look out the window. If Snowden is here and has the same view, he can see the approach to the departures terminal at the airport. A large billboard shows a red 4x4 vehicle driving along an ocean road. A parking lot below is filled with vehicles. A man in green overalls is watering a patch of parched grass. Vehicles whizz in and out of the airport.

A maid has just brought a tea bag. She puts a tick against the room number on the three-page document on her trolley. On it, there are no guest names, only numbers — and departure dates. A quick look suggests there are perhaps a few dozen people staying here. A couple of rooms on my floor have tell-tale signs of occupancy — food trays lying outside from the night before.

But no sign of Snowden.

The guard allows me to stretch my legs in the corridor. The signs on the wall rub things in. Under a pretty picture of the Moscow skyline and Red Square, a message reads: "Should you wish to see the full range of facilities offered by our hotel during your next stay, we strongly recommend you to get a visa before flying to Moscow."

A fleeting glimpse of a possible change of scene: a set of guidelines posted on the wall say I can go out for a smoke!

Rule No. 6: "It is possible to go and smoke one time per hour for 5 minutes in the beginning of each hour escorted by security service."

I don't smoke, but this would be a way to escape this floor. But when I ask him to take me down, the security guard scoffs. "No!" he says flatly.

I call the front desk. "You need a visa to go outside and smoke, Mr. Phillips" the receptionist says.

If he's here, Snowden has access to a few international TV stations. He also has a fair amount of options with room service — the only source of food in this wing. But after almost a week, he might be getting bored. And he'd need a credit card or a lot of Russian cash. A selection:

Buffalo mozzarella and pesto dressing starter? 720 rubles (about $20).

Ribeye steak: 1,500 rubles (about $50).

Bottle of Brunello di Montalcino red wine: 5,280 rubles ($165).

A miniature bottle of Hennessy XO cognac: 2,420 rubles ($80).

I've called all the 37 rooms on my floor in hopes of reaching Snowden. No reply except for when I get my security guard.

The floor above? A similarly futile attempt.

I only reach a handful of tired and irritated Russians who growl "Da? Da? Da?" — "Yes? Yes? Yes?"

http://news.yahoo.com/trapped-transit-orwellian-moscow-airport-hotel-152338275.html

[ihpguy]

Sadly neither blinis nor borscht mentioned. I'd be SOOL.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Where is my Edward? I hope he is ok. Living in that kind of condition in fear may not be good for both his mental and physical health. It's like living in a prison. I hope he comes back. Whatever treatment he gets in the US will be better than what he has to endure in a foreign country.

[AdamSmith]

Whatever treatment he gets in the US will be better than what he has to endure in a foreign country.

hito, please.

Assange in a foreign country:

Manning in the U.S.:

...While in Kuwait he was placed on suicide watch after his behavior caused concern.^[56] He was moved from Kuwait to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on July 29, 2010, and classified as a maximum custody detainee, with Prevention of Injury (POI) status. POI status is one stop short of suicide watch, entailing checks by guards every five minutes. His lawyer, David Coombs, a former military attorney, said he was not allowed to sleep between 5 am (7 am at weekends) and 8 pm, and was made to stand or sit up if he tried to. He was required to remain visible at all times, including at night, which entailed no access to sheets, no pillow except one built into his mattress, and a blanket designed not to be shredded.^[57] Manning complained that he regarded it as pre-trial punishment.^[58]

His cell was 6 × 12 ft with no window, containing a bed, toilet, and sink. The jail had 30 cells built in a U shape, and although detainees could talk to one another, they were unable to see each other. His lawyer said the guards behaved professionally, and had not tried to harass or embarrass Manning. He was allowed to walk for up to one hour a day, meals were taken in the cell, and he was shackled during visits. There was access to television when it was placed in the corridor, and he was allowed to keep one magazine and one book. Because he was in pre-trial detention, he received full pay and benefits.^[57]

On January 18, 2011, the jail classified him as a suicide risk after an altercation with the guards. Manning said the guards began issuing conflicting commands, such as "turn left, don't turn left," and upbraiding him for responding to commands with "yes" instead of "aye." Shortly afterwards, he was placed on suicide risk, had his clothing and eyeglasses removed, and was required to remain in his cell 24 hours a day. The suicide watch was lifted on January 21 after a complaint from his lawyer, and the brig commander who ordered it was replaced.^[59] On March 2, 2011, he was told that his request that his POI status be removed had been denied. His lawyer said Manning joked to the guards that, if he wanted to harm himself, he could do so with his underwear or his flip-flops. The comment resulted in him having his clothes removed at night, and he had to present himself naked one morning for inspection...^[60]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Manning#Detention

[ihpguy]

Hey Hito,

The Novotel Sherereallyshityevo seems to be at least a touch better than Marine Base Quantico. I expect that there is no t-room action in the brig at Marine Base Quantico. And at least at the Sherereallyshityevo you might have a chance to orally pleasure the room service waiter. Who knows? Edward might even meet himself a Boris who will court him with ice vodka, caviar and a sable coat. I just know his hiney is begging for attention.

[lookin]

Tomorrow, there will be a group marching in the SF Pride parade in support of Bradley Manning. Daniel Ellsberg, 82, will be among them.

There was a kerfuffle in April when the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee board named Manning Grand Marshal, and then rescinded the nomination a few days later.

I hope he is aware of the strong support he has.

[Guest hitoallusa]

I love his shoes... But trapped in the embassy with curtains drawn and book cases placed in front of the windows. I don't think he will be happy. How one feels stress is a very relative thing you know. He might have nice shoes on but he won't be happy.

hito, please.

Assange in a foreign country:

Manning in the U.S.:

...While in Kuwait he was placed on suicide watch after his behavior caused concern.^[56] He was moved from Kuwait to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, on July 29, 2010, and classified as a maximum custody detainee, with Prevention of Injury (POI) status. POI status is one stop short of suicide watch, entailing checks by guards every five minutes. His lawyer, David Coombs, a former military attorney, said he was not allowed to sleep between 5 am (7 am at weekends) and 8 pm, and was made to stand or sit up if he tried to. He was required to remain visible at all times, including at night, which entailed no access to sheets, no pillow except one built into his mattress, and a blanket designed not to be shredded.^[57] Manning complained that he regarded it as pre-trial punishment.^[58]

His cell was 6 × 12 ft with no window, containing a bed, toilet, and sink. The jail had 30 cells built in a U shape, and although detainees could talk to one another, they were unable to see each other. His lawyer said the guards behaved professionally, and had not tried to harass or embarrass Manning. He was allowed to walk for up to one hour a day, meals were taken in the cell, and he was shackled during visits. There was access to television when it was placed in the corridor, and he was allowed to keep one magazine and one book. Because he was in pre-trial detention, he received full pay and benefits.^[57]

On January 18, 2011, the jail classified him as a suicide risk after an altercation with the guards. Manning said the guards began issuing conflicting commands, such as "turn left, don't turn left," and upbraiding him for responding to commands with "yes" instead of "aye." Shortly afterwards, he was placed on suicide risk, had his clothing and eyeglasses removed, and was required to remain in his cell 24 hours a day. The suicide watch was lifted on January 21 after a complaint from his lawyer, and the brig commander who ordered it was replaced.^[59] On March 2, 2011, he was told that his request that his POI status be removed had been denied. His lawyer said Manning joked to the guards that, if he wanted to harm himself, he could do so with his underwear or his flip-flops. The comment resulted in him having his clothes removed at night, and he had to present himself naked one morning for inspection...^[60]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Manning#Detention

[Guest hitoallusa]

I hope Russians are treating Edward fairly and do not torture or drug him to get things out of him. If I were Edward, I would face consequences in the US rather than facing Russians in their home turf. If he can please come back.

http://news.yahoo.com/ecuador-president-snowden-cant-leave-moscow-145434970.html

[ihpguy]

Hito,

In the US, Edward would disappear into the Polish archipelago and never be heard from again.

He looks exactly like a blonder version of my ex-Paulista lover.

Send him my way and I'll turn him into the bottom boy he has always yearned to be.

IHPGuy

[AdamSmith]

Ecuador president: Snowden can't leave Moscow

MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN 1 hour ago

PORTOVIEJO, Ecuador (AP) — Edward Snowden is "under the care of the Russian authorities" and can't leave Moscow's international airport without their consent, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa told The Associated Press Sunday in an interview telegraphing the slim and diminishing possibility that the National Security Agency leaker will end up in Ecuador.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has distanced himself from the case since Snowden arrived in Russia last week. But Correa portrayed Russia as entirely the masters of Snowden's fate.

Putin insists the 30-year-old former NSA contractor remains in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport and that as long as he has not legally entered Russia, he is out of the Kremlin's control.

However, the Kremlin also said Sunday that it will take public opinion and the views of human rights activists into account when considering Snowden's case, a move that could lay the groundwork for him to seek asylum in Russia.

"This is the decision of Russian authorities," Correa told the AP during a visit to this Pacific coast city. "He doesn't have a passport. I don't know the Russian laws, I don't know if he can leave the airport, but I understand that he can't. At this moment he's under the care of the Russian authorities. If he arrives at an Ecuadorean Embassy we'll analyze his request for asylum."

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Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, center, jokes as he prepares before an interview with The Associa …

Last week, several members of Russia's Presidential Council for Human Rights spoke out in support of Snowden, saying he deserved to receive political asylum in the country of his choice and should not be handed over to the United States. And a handful of protesters picketed outside the Moscow airport in what appeared to be an orchestrated demonstration on Friday, holding signs reading "Edward, Russia is your second motherland" and "Russia is behind Snowden."

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Ekho Moskvy radio that while Snowden is not Russia's concern, the Kremlin is aware of the viewpoints of Russian experts and representatives of human rights organizations.

"Public opinion on the subject is very rich," Peskov said in the radio interview. "We are aware of this and are taking it into account."

Correa said he had no idea Snowden's intended destination was Ecuador when he fled Hong Kong for Russia last week. He said the Ecuadorean consul in London committed "a serious error" by not consulting officials in Ecuador's capital when the consul issued a letter of safe passage for Snowden. He said the consul would be punished, although he didn't specify how.

Analysts familiar with the workings of the Ecuadorean government said Correa's claims that the decision was entirely Russia's appeared to be at least partly disingenuous. They said they believed Correa's administration at first intended to host Snowden, then started back-tracking this week when the possible consequences became clearer.

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Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, laughs during a interview with The Associated Press in Portoviejo …

"I think the government started to realize the dimensions of what it was getting itself into, how it was managing things and the consequences that this could bring," said Santiago Basabe, an analyst and professor of political sciences at the Latin American School of Social Sciences in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito. "So it started pulling back, and they'll never tell us why, but I think the alarm bells started to go off from people very close to the government, maybe Ecuador's ambassador in Washington warned them about the consequences of asylum for Snowden."

Correa said Snowden must assume responsibility if he broke U.S. laws, but added the broader legitimacy of Snowden's action must be taken into consideration. He said Ecuador would still consider an asylum request but only if Snowden is able to make it to Ecuador or an Ecuadorean Embassy to apply.

The U.S. is seeking the former NSA contractor's extradition for leaking secret documents that, among other things, detail U.S. surveillance of international online activity. On Sunday, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that classified documents taken by Snowden also revealed U.S. spies had allegedly bugged European Union offices.

Correa never entirely closed the door to Snowden, whom he said had drawn vital attention to the U.S. eavesdropping program and potential violations of human rights. But Correa appeared to be sending the message that it is unlikely Snowden will ever end up in Ecuador. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of the U.S. legal process and praised Vice President Joe Biden for what he described as a courteous and appreciated half-hour call about the Snowden case on Friday.

He similarly declined to reject an important set of U.S. trade benefits for Ecuadorean exports, again a contrast with his government's unilateral renunciation of a separate set of tariff benefits earlier in the week.

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Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, speaks during a interview with The Associated Press in Portoviejo …

"If he really could have broken North American laws, I am very respectful of other countries and their laws and I believe that someone who breaks the law must assume his responsibilities," Correa said. "But we also believe in human rights and due process."

He said Biden had asked him to send Snowden back to the United States immediately because he faces criminal charges, is a fugitive from justice and has had his passport revoked.

"I told him that we would analyze his opinion, which is very important to us," Correa said, adding that he had demanded the return of several Ecuadoreans who are in the United States but face criminal charges at home.

"I greatly appreciated the call," he said, contrasting it with threats made by a small group of U.S. senators to revoke Ecuadorean trade privileges. "When I received the call from Vice President Biden, which was with great cordiality and a different vision, we really welcomed it a lot."

Ecuadorean officials believe Russian authorities stymied the country's efforts to approve a political asylum application from the former NSA systems analyst, according to government officials with direct knowledge of the case.

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Ecuador's President Rafael Correa sings during his weekly live broadcast "Enlace Ciudadano," or "Cit …

Those officials said Ecuador had been making detailed plans to receive and host Snowden. One of the officials said Russia's refusal to let Snowden leave or be picked up by Ecuadorean officials had thwarted the plans. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the case by name.

One of the officials said Snowden had intended to travel from Moscow to the Ecuadorean capital of Quito. The official said Ecuador had also asked Russia to let Snowden take a commercial flight to meet Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino in Vietnam or Singapore, where Patino was on an official trip.

The Russians rejected all of Ecuador's requests to let Snowden leave Moscow, or to let an Ecuadorean government plane pick him up there, the official said.

Asked Sunday about those accounts, Correa responded, without elaborating, "We don't have long-range aircraft. It's a joke."

Snowden's path to Ecuador would have gone through Cuba, which said little about the case all week, including whether it would have allowed him to use its territory to transit.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro praised Correa's rejection of U.S. trade pressure, expressing his "sympathies" for the Ecuadorean leader in a Sunday editorial in the state press.

http://news.yahoo.com/ecuador-president-snowden-cant-leave-moscow-145434970.html

Ecuador's Correa says Snowden's fate in hands of Russia

Alexandra Valencia 1 hour ago

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View gallery

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa gestures during an interview with Reuters in Portoviejo June 30, 2013. …

By Alexandra Valencia

PORTOVIEJO, Ecuador (Reuters) - Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said on Sunday the fate of former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden is in the hands of the authorities in Russia, where he is holed up in hope of obtaining asylum in the South American nation.

Correa said his government cannot begin considering asylum for Snowden, wanted by Washington for leaking confidential information about a surveillance program, until he reaches Ecuador or an Ecuadorean embassy.

The 30-year-old former National Security Agency contractor has not been able to leave the Moscow international airport.

"It's up to the Russian authorities if he can leave the Moscow airport for an Ecuadorean embassy," Correa said in an interview with Reuters in the coastal city of Portoviejo.

"He will be treated just like any other citizen even though he does not have a passport. We are clear that this is a special situation."

Correa's comments provide further confirmation Ecuador is unlikely to help Snowden escape his current limbo. His passport has been revoked and countries around the world are under pressure not to let him continue his journey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected U.S. calls to expel Snowden to the United States and says Snowden should choose a destination and leave the Moscow airport as soon as possible.

A presidential spokesman said the issue was not on Putin's agenda and suggested it was being handled by Russia's domestic intelligence agency.

The asylum request has helped Correa boost his profile within the region and could help him take on the mantle of late Venezuelan socialist leader Hugo Chavez, who for more than a decade was Latin America's loudest critic of Washington.

"This may be the largest espionage case in this history of humanity," Correa said.

Correa, who has repeatedly confronted the United States since first being elected in 2006, said on Saturday he had a "cordial" phone conversation with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who asked that Ecuador not grant Snowden asylum.

Correa said he would take into account the opinion of the U.S. government when making the decision.

BACKING FOR ASSANGE

Correa on Sunday sent his regards to Snowden, whom he has thanked for revealing information about espionage efforts by the United States that go beyond its own borders.

"Keep your spirits up and be brave," Correa said. "You have to know how to assume your responsibilities, but if you acted in good conscience then you can be at peace with yourself."

The fallout over U.S. spying operations, the revelation of which has been a major embarrassment for U.S. President Barack Obama, appeared to expand on Sunday as the European Union confronted Washington on reports of spying by the National Security Agency.

Ecuador said on Thursday it was pulling out of a U.S. trade benefits program in protest of pressure from the United States for having considered Snowden's asylum request.

"Ecuador will not be pressured or blackmailed by anyone," Correa said.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, granted asylum last year in Ecuador's London embassy, has not lost the country's support despite apparently contributing to confusion over a travel document Ecuador's government issued to Snowden, Correa said.

"In these crises when there is need to respond with urgency, it's also possible to make mistakes. But Mr. Assange continues to enjoy our support, respect and appreciation," he said.

Ecuador's London consulate issued Snowden an unauthorized safe-passage document, potentially as a result of communication with Assange, Correa said on Saturday.

Assange had said that Snowden received refugee papers from the Ecuadorean government to secure safe passage as he fled Hong Kong for Russia, which Correa's government had originally denied.

Correa's critics have in recent days accused him of letting Assange take charge of crucial foreign policy matters.

Assange, who is wanted in Sweden for questioning on sexual assault allegations, has not been able to leave the London embassy because Britain will not give him safe passage.

http://news.yahoo.com/ecuadors-correa-says-snowdens-fate-hands-russia-160420467.html

[AdamSmith]

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Snowden had traveled from Hong Kong to Moscow using a letter of safe passage provided by an Ecuadoran official. That is incorrect: Snowden traveled using his U.S. passport. This version has been corrected.

Julian Assange: Edward Snowden is ‘marooned in Russia’

By David A. Fahrenthold, Updated: Sunday, June 30, 3:00 PM

The Washington Post

Edward Snowden — the fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor — appears to be stuck in Moscow, unable to leave without a valid American passport, according to interviews Sunday with two men who had sought to aid him: WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange and Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa.

Snowden, 30, arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport last weekend, after previously taking refuge in Hong Kong. Moscow was only supposed to be a stopover. WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy organization, had said Snowden was headed on to Ecuador — whose leftist president has been critical of the United States — and that he would seek asylum there.

Now, however, both men said Snowden is unable to leave.

“The United States, by canceling his passport, has left him for the moment marooned in Russia,” said Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” The United States canceled Snowden’s passport last weekend. Assange criticized the United States, saying: “To take a passport from a young man in a difficult situation like that is a disgrace.”

Correa spoke to the Associated Press in Puerto Viejo, Ecuador. For now, Correa told the AP, Snowden was “under the care of the Russian authorities.”

“This is the decision of Russian authorities. He doesn’t have a passport. I don’t know the Russian laws, I don’t know if he can leave the airport, but I understand that he can’t,” Correa said. He said that the case was now out of Ecuador’s hands. “If [snowden] arrives at an Ecuadoran Embassy, we’ll analyze his request for asylum.”

Snowden traveled from Hong Kong to Moscow on his U.S. passport. Although the U.S. had already revoked it, Hong Kong authorities said they hadn’t received the official request to cancel the passport before Snowden left.

An official at the Ecuadoran Embassy in London (where Assange himself has been holed up for a year, avoiding extradition to face sex-crimes charges in Sweden) had also issued a letter of safe passage for Snowden. But Snowden apparently did not use it for his trip to Moscow.

And it doesn’t appear that the Ecuadoran government would make a similar gesture again.

On Sunday, Correa told the AP that an Ecuadoran official at that embassy had committed “a serious error” by issuing the first letter without consulting officials back home. Correa said the consul would be punished, although he didn’t specify how.

Correa’s tone seemed to have shifted after a conversation with Vice President Biden on Friday. Where Correa had earlier been defiant, he now voiced respect for U.S. legal procedures.

“If he really could have broken North American laws, I am very respectful of other countries and their laws, and I believe that someone who breaks the law must assume his responsibilities,” Correa said, according to the AP.

Snowden’s escape plan — if it could be called a plan — was unlikely from the beginning.

After revealing himself as the leaker, he sought to hopscotch 12,000 miles from Hong Kong to Russia to Ecuador (perhaps by way of Cuba) — evading both U.S. law enforcement and the world’s news media on a trip to the other side of the world.

Now, that plan seems to have led Snowden to a Russian airport terminal. And a shrinking set of options.

If he is not actually being detained by Russian authorities — and Russian officials have said that he is not — Snowden could continue to stay in the airport. Officially, he would not have entered Russia, since he would not have crossed passport control.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Snowden is free to leave again by plane — if he can buy an airline ticket. But, to buy a ticket, Snowden would probably need a valid passport, and he now doesn’t have one.

Snowden could also try to exit by land. If he could get past passport control, he might make it to the Ecuadoran Embassy — or simply apply for asylum in Russia. There have been mixed signals on that front: A spokesman for Putin said Sunday that Snowden is not the Kremlin’s concern. But the spokesman also said that public opinion must be taken into account in deciding what to do with him.

That could perhaps be a nod toward the possibility of asylum. Or not.

This month, U.S. authorities charged Snowden with “theft, “unauthorized communication of national defense information” and “willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person.”

The charges were filed in the federal court in Alexandria, whose jurisdiction includes the headquarters of contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, Snowden’s former employer. On Sunday, Assange argued that the Alexandria court was fundamentally hostile to cases like Snowden’s.

“The jury pool is made up of the CIA, Pentagon, etc.,” Assange said. “There’s a 99 percent chance that — a 99.97 percent chance that if you’re a target of the grand jury you’ll be indicted. And a 99 percent chance that if you’re indicted by a grand jury you will be convicted.”

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond Sunday when asked whether Assange’s statistics were accurate.

Assange said that WikiLeaks also had been in contact with Snowden’s father, Lonnie Snowden, who told the “Today” show that he felt his son was being manipulated by WikiLeaks.

“We have established contact with Mr. Snowden’s father’s lawyer to put some of his concerns to rest,” Assange said. “But, I mean, this isn’t a situation that, you know, WikiLeaks is in charge of, if you like. This is a matter for states at a very serious level to understand and sort out and behave responsibly.”

Assange was asked by Stephanopoulos whether WikiLeaks was in possession of other secrets that Snowden took with him.

“Look, there is no stopping the publishing process at this stage,” Assange said. “Great care has been taken to make sure that Mr. Snowden can’t be pressured by any state to stop the publication process.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/julian-assange-edward-snowden-is-marooned-in-russia/2013/06/30/67ed243e-e191-11e2-9960-65d66450db63_story_1.html

[ihpguy]

Correa's making nice to the US of A as they have threatened to no cancel the 6% tax on their flower exports to the US. Something on the order of 250millionUS is what I read.

Is Edward's tool that valuable? Or even as a tool?

Hito,

You have first dibs on Eddie's tool or going to let Correa have at it?

[lookin]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Snowden is free to leave again by plane — if he can buy an airline ticket. But, to buy a ticket, Snowden would probably need a valid passport, and he now doesn’t have one.

Perhaps RA1 could give him a lift.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Oh my... I want to marry Edward first before I have first dibs on Eddie's tool. What happens if he ditches me and run away to a foreign country again. I will be left with kids without any child support from him.

Hito,

You have first dibs on Eddie's tool or going to let Correa have at it?

[Guest hitoallusa]

When did Putin so respected the rule of law???? He even changed the law to serve as president once again. Let Edward go and don't blame it on the US. I hope Edward comes back and rather than played by Putin.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Snowden is marooned partly because of Assange. I hope Edward could see that. Please come back Edward.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Snowden had traveled from Hong Kong to Moscow using a letter of safe passage provided by an Ecuadoran official. That is incorrect: Snowden traveled using his U.S. passport. This version has been corrected.

Julian Assange: Edward Snowden is marooned in Russia

By David A. Fahrenthold, Updated: Sunday, June 30, 3:00 PM

The Washington Post

Edward Snowden the fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor appears to be stuck in Moscow, unable to leave without a valid American passport, according to interviews Sunday with two men who had sought to aid him: WikiLeaks Julian Assange and Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa.

Snowden, 30, arrived at Moscows Sheremetyevo International Airport last weekend, after previously taking refuge in Hong Kong. Moscow was only supposed to be a stopover. WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy organization, had said Snowden was headed on to Ecuador whose leftist president has been critical of the United States and that he would seek asylum there.

Now, however, both men said Snowden is unable to leave.

The United States, by canceling his passport, has left him for the moment marooned in Russia, said Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, on ABCs This Week With George Stephanopoulos. The United States canceled Snowdens passport last weekend. Assange criticized the United States, saying: To take a passport from a young man in a difficult situation like that is a disgrace.

Correa spoke to the Associated Press in Puerto Viejo, Ecuador. For now, Correa told the AP, Snowden was under the care of the Russian authorities.

This is the decision of Russian authorities. He doesnt have a passport. I dont know the Russian laws, I dont know if he can leave the airport, but I understand that he cant, Correa said. He said that the case was now out of Ecuadors hands. If [snowden] arrives at an Ecuadoran Embassy, well analyze his request for asylum.

Snowden traveled from Hong Kong to Moscow on his U.S. passport. Although the U.S. had already revoked it, Hong Kong authorities said they hadnt received the official request to cancel the passport before Snowden left.

An official at the Ecuadoran Embassy in London (where Assange himself has been holed up for a year, avoiding extradition to face sex-crimes charges in Sweden) had also issued a letter of safe passage for Snowden. But Snowden apparently did not use it for his trip to Moscow.

And it doesnt appear that the Ecuadoran government would make a similar gesture again.

On Sunday, Correa told the AP that an Ecuadoran official at that embassy had committed a serious error by issuing the first letter without consulting officials back home. Correa said the consul would be punished, although he didnt specify how.

Correas tone seemed to have shifted after a conversation with Vice President Biden on Friday. Where Correa had earlier been defiant, he now voiced respect for U.S. legal procedures.

If he really could have broken North American laws, I am very respectful of other countries and their laws, and I believe that someone who breaks the law must assume his responsibilities, Correa said, according to the AP.

Snowdens escape plan if it could be called a plan was unlikely from the beginning.

After revealing himself as the leaker, he sought to hopscotch 12,000 miles from Hong Kong to Russia to Ecuador (perhaps by way of Cuba) evading both U.S. law enforcement and the worlds news media on a trip to the other side of the world.

Now, that plan seems to have led Snowden to a Russian airport terminal. And a shrinking set of options.

If he is not actually being detained by Russian authorities and Russian officials have said that he is not Snowden could continue to stay in the airport. Officially, he would not have entered Russia, since he would not have crossed passport control.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Snowden is free to leave again by plane if he can buy an airline ticket. But, to buy a ticket, Snowden would probably need a valid passport, and he now doesnt have one.

Snowden could also try to exit by land. If he could get past passport control, he might make it to the Ecuadoran Embassy or simply apply for asylum in Russia. There have been mixed signals on that front: A spokesman for Putin said Sunday that Snowden is not the Kremlins concern. But the spokesman also said that public opinion must be taken into account in deciding what to do with him.

That could perhaps be a nod toward the possibility of asylum. Or not.

This month, U.S. authorities charged Snowden with theft, unauthorized communication of national defense information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence information to an unauthorized person.

The charges were filed in the federal court in Alexandria, whose jurisdiction includes the headquarters of contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, Snowdens former employer. On Sunday, Assange argued that the Alexandria court was fundamentally hostile to cases like Snowdens.

The jury pool is made up of the CIA, Pentagon, etc., Assange said. Theres a 99 percent chance that a 99.97 percent chance that if youre a target of the grand jury youll be indicted. And a 99 percent chance that if youre indicted by a grand jury you will be convicted.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond Sunday when asked whether Assanges statistics were accurate.

Assange said that WikiLeaks also had been in contact with Snowdens father, Lonnie Snowden, who told the Today show that he felt his son was being manipulated by WikiLeaks.

We have established contact with Mr. Snowdens fathers lawyer to put some of his concerns to rest, Assange said. But, I mean, this isnt a situation that, you know, WikiLeaks is in charge of, if you like. This is a matter for states at a very serious level to understand and sort out and behave responsibly.

Assange was asked by Stephanopoulos whether WikiLeaks was in possession of other secrets that Snowden took with him.

Look, there is no stopping the publishing process at this stage, Assange said. Great care has been taken to make sure that Mr. Snowden cant be pressured by any state to stop the publication process.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/julian-assange-edward-snowden-is-marooned-in-russia/2013/06/30/67ed243e-e191-11e2-9960-65d66450db63_story_1.html