U.S. probes if China played role in Snowden leaks

[struggle4progress]

Bloomberg
Jun 25, 2013

WASHINGTON/LONDON – U.S. intelligence agencies are investigating whether Edward Snowden’s leaks may be a Chinese intelligence operation or whether China might have used his concerns about U.S. surveillance practices to exploit him, according to four American officials.

The officials emphasized there’s no hard evidence yet that Snowden was a Chinese agent or that China helped plan his flights to Hong Kong and then to Moscow, directly or through a witting or unwitting intermediary. Rather, they are duty-bound to probe such a worst-case scenario for the U.S., said the officials, who are familiar with the case and asked not to be identified to discuss classified intelligence ...

The involvement of China and Russia raises questions about their relationship with Snowden and what information he may provide them, according to Jane Harman, president of the Wilson Center, a Washington-based policy research group.

“Clearly, he now is a pawn in a big-power game, and I think that game is way too big for him,” said Harman, a former Democratic congresswoman from California who served on the House Intelligence Committee ...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/25/world/u-s-probes-if-china-played-role-in-snowden-leaks-fugitive-not-on-cuba-flight/

[kitt6]

1. How can China benefit

from this fellow? He may be food for thought; but he's a nobody with a somebody backing. Right out of the US! To embarrass dems because the so called scandals didn't work!