Russia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba to Discuss Snowden Asylum in Moscow

[Purveyor]

Mérida, 28th June 2013 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – Diplomats from Russia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Cuba will meet in Moscow on Monday to discuss the situation of U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.

The ex-NSA contractor has requested asylum in Ecuador to avoid what he fears would result in judicial persecution if he is extradited to the United States.

Snowden released information to the Washington Post and UK Guardian from 6 June revealing the existence of a U.S. government intelligence program Prism, which uses data from internet companies to collect information on people’s communication across the globe.

He is now wanted by U.S. federal prosecutors on three charges related to espionage: theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information, and willful communication of classified intelligence to an unauthorised person.

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http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/9774

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Yeah, okay

[flamingdem]

2. The Hot Potato Summit!

Whatever happens will be very revealing.

My guess on the takers:

1. Russia: only if there are not other options and if they determine they could get valuable secrets
2. Venezuela: will be deciding how much damage this will cause vs. Maduro taking anti-US mantle
3. Ecuador: they don't want to look like Assange's patsy, disagreements in high places
4. Cuba: not a chance, they have a treaty with the USA and too much on the line

To get to Ecuador and Venezula Snowden has to transit through Cuba. This is clearly a problem.

Russia can plead innocent to some extent. "He was dumped on us", and gain anti-US cred.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. Which treaty with Cuba would prevent asylum?

[flamingdem]

4. 2006 accord to return US fugitives to the USA

I suppose a treaty is too strong a word.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. 2006 accord on immigrants?

Cuba has several us fugitives living there quite openly. I don't think that accord is what you think it is.

Cuba might not want snowden for other reasons, legal obligations are not one of them.

[flamingdem]

6. That was in the 60s, they want to end the embargo now (new fugatives not welcome)

Tougher line on U.S. fugitives reported
May 30, 2007


CUBA — The State Department reports that Cuba's government has said it no longer will provide haven to U.S. fugitives who enter the island nation, a promise that the government has met twice since September.

The promise and deportations are a rare sign of cooperation by Cuba. Some 70 U.S. fugitives may be living there.

The change was noted in the 2006 Country Reports on Terrorism, released April 30.