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Snowden asylum requests sent to 21 countries: WikiLeaks

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Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, India, China, Russia, Germany and France, Wikileaks said Tuesday.

More like Cuba, Venezuela, China, Russia, and....oh, I dunno. Germany and France? That sounds good.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This is all about exposing the establishment for what it truly is. America is being embarrassed, again.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Smart. Your move, USA.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The question now is which will grant asylum first?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

My guess is 21 refusals.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Great plan he had there...

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Probably all will turn him down. Except maybe Venezuela.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Nobody wants the man but the USA ! He's toast !

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I'd love to see France take him just to see the reaction on Fox News.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Great big white elephant in need of a good home... Anyone? Anyone?

*Cue crickets chirping...

5 ( +7 / -2 )

At least 18 out of these 21 countries actively engage in spying themselves. What gives?

"Cue crickets chirping..."

Or a toilet flushing......the Russian request has apparently been withdrawn.

Carolingum,

"Smart. Your move, USA."

His actions and planning have been anything but smart as far as I can see, especially for an ex-Company man. Unless he was jealous of Assange living in 2 bedroom flat for the rest of his natural life - I'm wondering how long he can hang on in the hotel or if he can even get vodka and hookers sent up....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

He should return to he United States and face charges. Is he a hero or a coward?

3 ( +9 / -6 )

He should return to he United States and face charges. Is he a hero or a coward?

So, after blowing up the local ammunition dump, French resistance fighters would have been more heroic if they'd turned themselves over to the Gestapo to face charges?

Don't see the logic.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Low blow from Obama. Isn't it more than just a little unAmerican to make the guy stateless?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

"Smart. Your move, USA"

I dunno how smart that move was by Snowden. A high school dropout, he had a job making 6 figures, and the freedom to go virtually wherever he wanted on his time off except maybe North Korea, and now look at his situation.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Why not just anonymously give the information to a high ranking member of Congress? He wanted the world to know who he was. Fame has its consequences.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Cuba, venezuela will always accept him.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The point isn't whether other countries spy, it's that America was the one caught with their knickers down, and as far as its concerned, the authorities who want to convict him have themselves broken the law by spying on their own citizens, so I doubt in those circumstances, Eddie would get a fair trial.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@Superlib that's what I said before, but some folks just seem to think that fighting against the "establishment" means fame and fortune worldwide. He could have had his life and anonymity if he'd done the right thing and just keep this information to the AMERICAN PEOPLE. But instead he chose to give it to our enemies and unfavorable countries and not just keep it in the US and at most our allies. Hint, he's applying for asylum in CHINA??? They've already been trying to get as much data on the US security methods since forever and just more free info is all it takes.

As for him trying to get asylum in France or Germany he probably won't because they may have an extradition treaty with the US. Russia does not, and neither does China... but if Russia denies him, is he so desperate he'll go to an even worse situation in China?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm with you, @SuperLib, but suspect that every article had tags (slightly different spacing) and word order changes to help trace the source later.

I think the "fame" aspect came to avoid being quietly killed.

If the USA were smarter, they'd have left him with a working passport, waited and watched. As it is now, Snowden will end up in a country aching for internal knowledge about US security practices. That isn't good for the USA or our allies.

OTOH, if the USA government would stop doing stupid, secret things that can't stand the light of newspapers, then this wouldn't be an issue anymore. I can't believe the US government actively spies on NATO member governments. Citizens of NATA countries, I understand completely, but not government officials. Countries share intelligence with these people ... as part of a way to bypass local laws against spying on citizens. Local spying is usually illegal, but gaining intelligence about your people from other, outside, sources isn't. Loophole.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

India rejects Snowden -admits building their own (public) spy-grid.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-turns-down-edward-snowdens-asylum-request/1136676/?indian_top

"I can confirm that earlier today our Embassy in Moscow did receive a communication dated 30 June from Mr Edward Snowden. That communication did contain a request for asylum. We have carefully examined the request. Following that examination we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to the request," spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said here.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-28/news/40256071_1_security-agencies-telecom-service-providers-direct-electronic-provisioning

NEW DELHI: Security agencies may be able to lawfully intercept phone numbers without manual intervention from service providers by end of this year as government is likely to install Centralised Monitoring System in 10 out of the country's 22 service areas.

"Government has decided to set up a CMS for lawful interception monitoring which will facilitate the direct electronic provisioning of target number...without any manual intervention from telecom service providers. It may take some more time, say December 2013, to commission CMS in 10 service areas," an official source told PTI.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

poor guy, thought he had done the right thing for his countrymen, now he has no country to go. Look and ask for Jack Bauer maybe he can help :-)

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Venezuela looks to be ready to step up.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Party is over. He's still trying to milk his 15 minutes of fame. This dude is just another spoiled American who had too much of a good life to understand what it means to really have freedom taken away. I wonder who would want a traitor who back-stabs his own country. His information isn't even useful to them. The leaders of those 21 countries are probably laughing at this idiot.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Now, on false rumors that Snowden was aboard the Venezuelan President's plane from Moscow, that plane was forced to land in Austria after France and Portugal refused to allow the plane to land in their countries. Venezuelan authorities have issued protests saying such actions endangered the President's life. By this, it's clear to see how Washington is strong-arming its allies into aiding their apprehension of Snowden the political refugee.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The point isn't whether other countries spy, it's that America was the one caught with their knickers down, and as far as its concerned, the authorities who want to convict him have themselves broken the law by spying on their own citizens, so I doubt in those circumstances, Eddie would get a fair trial.

Hogwash! The man would get a fair trail, even now, but having said that, he would be grilled, on that you can believe in, but he would be allowed to get a lawyer, but with each day passing, his life is becoming more insignificant. He is becoming more of a liability than anything, what's important is what did he give to China and Russia. The law of spying on its citizen doesn't hold up. In order to root out terrorism, they need to listen at times to the general public since many terrorists have connections in the countries where they operate from. So, NO, no laws were broken.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Speaking of hogwash, " The man would get a fair trail, even now, but having said that, he would be grilled, on that you can believe in, but he would be allowed to get a lawyer…"

Yeah, for his Kangaroo-Court charade trial. He would get a similar , likely worse, treatment than Manning has gotten, or likely not even that as surely the scalawag Holder would find some legal contortion to toss him into GITMO for the last kiss goodnight.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Yeah, for his Kangaroo-Court charade trial. He would get a similar , likely worse, treatment than Manning has gotten, or likely not even that as surely the scalawag Holder would find some legal contortion to toss him into GITMO for the last kiss goodnight.

I really don't believe that. I'm from California, the bastion and literally birthplace and cradle of liberalism. The guy could easily, easily get a slew of lawyers that would come to his aid, ad the liberal moonbat protesters, the man would become of sorts like a liberal martyr. He would get a red carpet treatment. Having said that, even if he were subjected to what you just eluded too, Snowden brought it upon himself, so he wouldn't sympathy from me, that would be his karma. He made his bed, now he has to deal with it. A fugitive running from the law and with each day making it worse on him and his life.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The guy doesn't want to go back to the US because there is a chance he could be jailed. It has nothing to do with being worried for his life. That is all in the mind of his supporters.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Bass4funk

I understand that the government has to be aware of any terror threats, but when it comes down to it, they are breaking the 4th amendment of the constitution that they swear to abide by. But even you must agree that the US way overstepped the mark when they bugged EU offices and spied on allies. It's utter madness.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@bassfunk, since you hail from what you consider "the bastion of liberalism", which isn't the same as liberty BTW, and you think little or nothing wrong of the Surveillance State, perhaps the words of some who lived directly under the Stasi, including one top officer, would at least be enlightening.

What Snowden revealed is many magnitudes more extensive than what the Stasi were capable of, given the technology of the time.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/06/26/195045/memories-of-stasi-color-germans.html#.UdOwddGRXFo

It's not tinfoil hattery to learn from devastating mistakes of the past. It's usually considered wise.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@OssanAmerica,

Returning would be silly. The US wont grant him Due Process and hell be tortured and thrown in the slammer before he ever sees a day in court. The US injustice system is out of control.

Interesting how the story has totally been smeared against Snowden and not a word by the media regarding the continued ridiculous government behaviour. Wow! Americans sure don`t care about anything besides Coke and Reality TV.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Correction: It's the Bolivian Presidential jet, not Venezualan that's been effectively skyjacked by US in order to prevent the rumored stowaway from escaping. Yet US CIA has numerous times illegally transported(rendered) those they wanted to blackbag.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@bass4funk

I know for a fact, he would have been safe in California,

Do you know about NSA employee Thomas Andrew Drake? The story speaks for itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Andrews_Drake

Thomas Andrew Drake only avoided jail because 60 minutes broadcast his case and the prosecution immediately dropped all charges except a misdemeanor ... Richard D. Bennett of the Federal District Court, issued harsh words for the government, saying that it was "unconscionable" to charge a defendant with a list of serious crimes that could have resulted in 35 years in prison only to drop all of the major charges on the eve of trial.

I am curious if you think that Thomas Andrew Drake was "safe" or not, and also if you think he was mistreated or not.

I personally would have preferred that Snowden stayed in the US, not because he would have been safe, but because he would have been unsafely in jail for a long time. (Although that may turn out to be a safer place for him in the long run). His suffering would only help the point he was trying to make, and the "Snowden chase" conversely detracts from the point he is trying to make. However, I must admit that is a pretty cruel thing to say.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jean: and you think little or nothing wrong of the Surveillance State, perhaps the words of some who lived directly under the Stasi, including one top officer, would at least be enlightening.

I guess that means you'd prefer to live in East Germany in 1985 than San Francisco in 2013. Your choice.

It's the Bolivian Presidential jet, not Venezualan that's been effectively skyjacked by US

You have so much inside information it's a wonder they don't add you to the investigation team.

Yet US CIA has numerous times illegally transported(rendered) those they wanted to blackbag.

Is this the same rendition that Europe was outraged over....only to find key members of their governments knew everything about it? History repeating itself here?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It would seem that Snowdon is running out of options.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

even the mafia spy on each other,

So the US government is a mafia ? Actually, that's the impression they give recently.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So government is just another form of organized crime?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yup. The official mafia....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

" I guess that means you'd prefer to live in East Germany in 1985 than San Francisco in 2013."

Had you actually read the linked article you wouldn't logically make that comment. Or, there is a serious reading comprehension deficiency.

No, a better choice would be Chile today.

" Is this the same rendition that Europe was outraged over....only to find key members of their governments knew everything about it?"

Of course you must know you refer to the secret spy agencies that work together with the Big Boys, puppets of CIA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So government is just another form of organized crime?

Careful now - Big Brother is watching (and reading and listening).

1 ( +1 / -0 )

" You have so much inside information it's a wonder they don't add you to the investigation team."

No, no, that would be bass. I just read a lot.

http://rt.com/news/bolivia-un-complaint-plane-601/

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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