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ProSense

(116,464 posts)
12. Why Ecuador?
Thu Jun 27, 2013, 10:28 AM
Jun 2013
Why Ecuador?

By David Weigel

<...>


But why Ecuador? First, the country has an enviably loopholed extradition treaty with the United States. Outlaws wanted for offenses "of a political character" can dodge extradition. The oh-so-bright American senators who rushed to call Snowden a "traitor" have certainly created the impression that Snowden is wanted for political reasons, and in his interviews he's happy to reinforce this.

Second, the ruling regime in Ecuador doesn't really care what America thinks. In 2006 the country gave its presidency to Rafael Correa. A fan and ally of Hugo Chavez, Correa reversed decades of Ecuadorian kowtowing to the United States by declaring the national debt illegitimate and defaulting on the country's bonds. A country that had adopted* the U.S. dollar as a default currency had sparked a nationalist debt revolt—and it sort of won. Correa, never as colorful as Chavez, still consolidated power and won a landslide re-election. Giving asylum to people who make America look weak, and spill its secrets, is easy politics for him.

The result: Snowden, avoiding extradition, is on a world tour of regimes generally more hostile to press and information freedom than the United States is. At the moment he's less concerned with irony than with avoiding jail.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2013/06/23/why_ecuador.html
Ecuador denies giving Snowden a travel document: report ProSense Jun 2013 #1
Interesting as that means he likely has NO valid document to travel under karynnj Jun 2013 #2
If Ecuador choes to do so dipsydoodle Jun 2013 #3
"The world order is not only unjust, it is immoral," stressed the president. Zorra Jun 2013 #4
I have long admired President Correa. The US just doesn't get it. Money is not everything Catherina Jun 2013 #5
You admire a man that actively deprives gay citizens in his country of their civil rights. Ikonoklast Jun 2013 #32
Ecuador wasn't going to get a renewal.....it's an empty gesture. nt msanthrope Jun 2013 #6
So all the threats in the US media were empty too? Junkdrawer Jun 2013 #7
correct, now their products will be more expensive in the US Bacchus4.0 Jun 2013 #8
He made a snarky comment about the benefits of trade ProSense Jun 2013 #15
Why Ecuador would be an ideal refuge for Edward Snowden Catherina Jun 2013 #9
Why Ecuador? ProSense Jun 2013 #12
And, Ecuador is a de facto province of China. geek tragedy Jun 2013 #14
Read your labels here. WinkyDink Jun 2013 #16
Did the United States just sell 10 states to China? geek tragedy Jun 2013 #17
The U.S. has sold its economy to China. former9thward Jun 2013 #23
If we stopped using Chinese goods, we'd buy them from other developing countries geek tragedy Jun 2013 #24
China needs this country to buy their exports, we are a huge market. Ikonoklast Jun 2013 #33
Well China thumbed its nose at the U.S. with Snowden. former9thward Jun 2013 #34
And maybe, just maybe, the U.S. wanted Snowden to run, and not stay one minute more Ikonoklast Jun 2013 #35
Apparenty protecting Snowden is more important than protecting the 8 million acres geek tragedy Jun 2013 #10
I was wondering what new smear the Smear Machine would have today. former9thward Jun 2013 #20
No he's not. But this stuff about principles over profits is political posturing. nt geek tragedy Jun 2013 #21
100,000 workers in cut flower industry in Ecuador Bacchus4.0 Jun 2013 #11
Correa sold 20% of Ecuador's land mass to China recently. geek tragedy Jun 2013 #13
More bravado railsback Jun 2013 #18
We should accept the $23 million for human rights training / we need it. nt limpyhobbler Jun 2013 #19
Ecuador can't forget Texaco(now Exxon Mobil) and the horror that company wrought byeya Jun 2013 #22
I'm sure the Chinese will be much more responsible nt geek tragedy Jun 2013 #25
An inconvenient fact right now. Thanks for reminding everyone n/t Catherina Jun 2013 #29
Aren't chevron also embroiled in a scandal regarding Ecuador? n/t Fire Walk With Me Jun 2013 #36
kick ..didn't see this post Ichingcarpenter Jun 2013 #26
Oh this should be fun nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #27
talk about a bitch slap ......... dayum! dothemath Jun 2013 #28
Ingrates! How dare they refuse our bullying..er...help. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2013 #30
Ecuador has been lobbying the U.S. for improved trade access: ProSense Jun 2013 #31
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