Ecuadorean Disarray Clouds Snowden Bid

[struggle4progress]

Updated June 27, 2013, 8:44 p.m. ET
JOSÉ DE CÓRDOBA in Mexico City and JEANNE WHALEN in London

... Mr. Assange also offered public-relations advice to top Ecuadorean officials about how to handle the crisis. Mr. Assange's earlier efforts on Mr. Snowden's behalf had prompted one diplomat to caution that Mr. Assange could be perceived as "running the show" ...

The validity of any Ecuadorean travel document, or "safe pass," has been the subject of intense speculation this week. Mr. Assange said this week Ecuador issued such a document to Mr. Snowden and Ecuadorean officials haven't denied it exists. But officials have said that such a safe conduct pass, if it is in Mr. Snowden's possession, isn't valid ...

< Mr. Correa> added: "What is the validity of a safe conduct pass issued by a consul in London for someone to leave from Hong Kong to Moscow? None" ...

WikiLeaks has previously said it is organizing the travel for Mr. Snowden and has provided him legal aid. But according to one document reviewed by the Journal, Mr. Assange has also suggested to top Ecuadorean officials how to manage the whole public relations side of the Snowden matter ...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323419604578571601908964678.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. It would seem DC is the one in disarray.

The shredders are probably working overtime.

[struggle4progress]

2. That's a strange reading of the article

[Tx4obama]

3. Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon says his legal team won’t represent NSA leaker Edward Snowden

Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon says his legal team won’t represent NSA leaker Edward Snowden

By Associated Press

MADRID — Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon says he won’t represent fugitive National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.

In a statement Wednesday, Garzon said his legal firm had decided not to take on Snowden’s case but gave no explanation.

Snowden, who is charged with violating American espionage laws, is said to be in the transit zone of a Moscow airport. He has asked for asylum from Ecuador.

Snowden sought legal help from Garzon, who represents WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

- more -

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10023101737

[Cha]

4. Oooops.. the all star schemer got his "ego checked."

The validity of any Ecuadorean travel document, or "safe pass," has been the subject of intense speculation this week. Mr. Assange said this week Ecuador issued such a document to Mr. Snowden and Ecuadorean officials haven't denied it exists. But officials have said that such a safe conduct pass, if it is in Mr. Snowden's possession, isn't valid ...

UPDATED: Ecuadoran President Ego Checks Ecuardoran Co-President Julian Assange

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/28/1219722/-Ecuadoran-President-Ego-Checks-Ecuardoran-Co-President-Julian-Assange

thanks struggle4progress

[longship]

5. Looks like this falling apart for Mr. Snowden.

He's a man without a safe destination. He is apparently in limbo with no where to go.

Snowden is not a pro and he's basically screwed himself.

No comment on his ethics of which I have idea.

[railsback]

6. Snowden has got to be the worst 'whistleblower' in history

Having praised the 'work' of WikiLeaks, only to have them completely fuck up your last escape route has got to feel like hammering a giant nail through your forehead.

[flamingdem]

7. And getting dumped in Moscow with Putin breathing down your neck

Putin: "We have formed a team to examine NSA leaks and have invited Mr. Snowden to collaborate"

[railsback]

9. I love this Alex Berenson OP-ED, Through The Eyes Of A Spy Novelist

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/opinion/snowden-through-the-eyes-of-a-spy-novelist.html?_r=0

"Mr. Snowden has put himself in a terrible spot. Moscow will surely protect him for as long as it feels like irritating Washington. But by the time the Russians are finished sifting through his laptops, he’ll be their spy, whether or not he meant to be."

I find myself thinking that Greenwald screwed this guy over so bad with some really horrible advice, its not even funny, but I also find myself chuckling..

[Alamuti Lotus]

8. seems like a lot of wishful thinking, as can be expected from the Wall Street Journal *nt

[struggle4progress]

10. A variety of media are covering this from different angles:

Ecuador Caught in Lie Over Snowden "Safe Pass"
By ADAM WEINSTEIN
June 28, 2013
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/ecuador-issues-denials-snowdens-safe-pass-linked-nations/story?id=19526121


Ecuador denies granting asylum, safe passage to Snowden
NSA leaker's travel documents 'have no validity'
By Neil McAllister in San Francisco, 28th June 2013
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/06/28/ecuador_denies_snowden_documents/