General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn twist Univision uses metadata to determine authorship of Snowden's "Safe Pass" - ABC
In an ironic twist, Univision used metadata attached to an electronic copy of the safe pass to verify that it was composed at the work computer of Javier Mendoza, the Ecuadorian deputy consul in London (see photo above). Mendoza has acted as an intermediary for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who is wanted in Sweden in connection with sexual assault allegations, but maintains that U.S. authorities are hunting him for Wikileaks' political activities.
Metadata also showed that the Snowden pass was last edited, for 48 minutes, by the consul in London, Fidel Narvaez.
Ecuadorian Press Secretary Betty Tola did not directly address the pass' authenticity but told Univision today that "any document in this regard is not valid and is the sole responsibility of the person who has issued [it]," suggesting that the London consulate might have acted alone in issuing it.
That does not appear to be the case, however. According to communications obtained by Univision, Narvaez wrote the pass at President Correa's request, and the consul recounted speaking directly with the president about the "unique circumstances" of Snowden's case.
After the pass was revealed publicly, sources tell Univision, Correa instructed his staff to deny any role in its creation. "The official position is that the Ecuadorian government has NOT authorized any pass for anybody," those instructions read. "Any document that exists about has no validity."
It is unclear why Correa's government would deny a role in assisting Snowden.
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/ecuador-issues-denials-snowdens-safe-pass-linked-nations/story?id=19526121#.Uc5XpT6G0fk
flamingdem
(39,303 posts)It was unsigned but bore the name of the Consul General of the Ecuadoran Embassy in London, a supporter of Assange who wound up in Moscow this week.
For whatever reason Correa blamed Assange for this and denied involvement, however this is another side of the story.
And for sure there are more sides to it still to come..
The Safe Pass, or Refugee document allowed Snowden to travel after his Passport was revoked, apparently, or it might have at least been cover for the Chinese
---
Ecuador Safepass may be inauthentic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/world/snowden.html
Mr. Correa also disputed assertions made earlier in the week by Mr.
Assange and others that Mr. Snowden had been given travel documents
by Ecuador that assured him safe passage to the country.
The government has not authorized any safe-conduct or refugee permit
for Mr. Snowden, Mr. Correa said. Referring to a safe-conduct document
that appeared to have been issued by Ecuadors embassy in London, he
said that if it turned out to be authentic, whoever issued it is totally without
authority.
flamingdem
(39,303 posts)Disarray in Ecuador over the role of Wikileaks Assange in Snowdens asylum bid is complicating the outcome, according to diplomatic mail.
Mr. Assangethe antisecrecy-group founder who for the past year has been sheltered inside Ecuadors London embassywrote to Ecuadorean officials Monday that he hoped his role in the Snowden matter hadnt embarrassed the government, according to an internal Ecuadorean diplomatic correspondence obtained by Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Networks and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
But in the note, Mr. Assange also offered public-relations advice to top Ecuadorean officials about how to handle the crisis. Mr. Assanges earlier efforts on Mr. Snowdens behalf had prompted one diplomat to caution that Mr. Assange could be perceived as running the show in Ecuador.
Uh-oh.
http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2013/06/ecuador-maybe-assange-ought-to-keep-his-mouth-shut-2672260.html
aquart
(69,014 posts)I can't imagine any government that wouldn't piss off.
longship
(40,416 posts)Oops! No wonder. Tip of the hat to you Flaming.
R&K
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Is there a power struggle between Assange and Correa?
Yikes!
Cha
(295,899 posts)Cha
(295,899 posts)was thinking?
It is unclear why Correa's government would deny a role in assisting Snowden.
Hopefully, that will get cleared up.
mahalo, flamingdem
railsback
(1,881 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)Unfortunately that's a term with a lot of meanings.