Though most of the media focus right now is on Edward Snowden seeking asylum “in Russia,” the whistleblower has actually sought asylum from 20 different countries in all, apparently seeking new options as his Ecuador bid appears more or less permanently stalled.
It isn’t hard to see why Russia would get all of the focus, since it is in keeping with the Obama Administration’s narrative of the NSA leaks being a “US versus Russia” issue and Congressional calls to “punish” Russia.
Still. despite being logistically convenient, Russia may not be the best option for Snowden, or even a good option, since Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding Snowden stop speaking out if he wants to stay.
That could well be a deal-breaker, as Snowden doesn’t appear to have any intention of ending his opposition to the NSA surveillance plan, nor to stop revealing the truth about them.
The growing anger in the EU over revelations of NSA surveillance against EU diplomats could open up a whole bunch of appealing new destinations for Snowden as well. French political leaders on both the left and the right are calling for France to offer asylum, and Germany’s Green Party is urging Germany to do the same.
How likely either of those destinations is remains to be seen, but an official grant of asylum from a major EU member nation, especially a key NATO ally, would be a huge rebuke to the Obama Administration’s surveillance schemes.
The 20 nations were made public on WikiLeaks, and include myriad choices across Europe, Asia and South America. Ecuador no longer appears to be an option, however, with President Rafael Correa terming past support for him a “mistake” and insisted he is “Russia’s problem.”
Not surprised that that coward Correa has capitulated, but was expecting more of Putin. I sure hope that someone develops the guts to do the right thing and give him asylum, after all, a whole lot of people around the world have benefited from Snowden's courage. How can it be that there's no place on earth for those who tell the truth and defy corruption and immorality? Is civilization done with? Is the law of the jungle again the only law on the planet?
And now Greenwald is announcing/deciding that the leaks are over, after only a couple of documents and some slides? All this is very disheartening.
I don't know what more we can expect of Putin. He's told the US that he WON'T be handing Snowden over and that he's safe in Russia. With relations between the US/Russia already at cold war levels, Snowden is probably an additional headache that Putin feels Russia doesn't need at this time, BUT has said that they're ready to offer him asylum if he doesn't leak more info. It's a non sequitor since leaks from Snowden are done, as he's already turned over his files to Greenwald, the Guardian and a few other papers – and I'm sure Putin knows this. They will decide how and what to release from the files he's given them. It's time for Snowden to accept Putin's terms (which is nothing but a face-saving measure being extended by him to the Obama Admin.) so he can at least get out of that damn airport terminal. He can continue his asylum search to a country of his choice, but it may take weeks, months or even years.
Putin, Correa plus 20 countries refusing or not answering. Where are all the rich SOBs with diplomatic immunity and access to private jets – including the Vatican? All people do is point fingers at others and bitch. The world owes him, and others like him, a debt and we are all letting them down. That means by the Laws of the Universe, we will all get our just deserts.
I would hwelp anyone with the wherewithal to keep these men safe. So all of you rich and powerful people with a conscience – consider yourselves alled out!