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Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

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121–130 of 231 posts

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#121
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Much better than China anyway. Why do you think Russia is a much better choice for him then China?

because https://twitter.com/ChapmanAnna/status/352480982101798913 :)

Is it me, or does anyone else think that the really surreal thing here is not that Anna Chapman "proposed" to Snowden on twitter but that Chapman is even on twitter in the first place?

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#122
post #119
post #59

It seems he accepted Putin's terms to not release anymore information. I wonder if that means no more information coming out, period, or that since most/all of the information is now with third parties that it's their responsibility. I doubt Putin likes being disrespected with loopholes and technicalities, but I more-so doubt that Snowden would halt the revelations altogether for the sake of his own safety. I suspect…

Didn't Snowden say that this was only temporary so he could secure a flight to a south american country at some point ?

meh. everything's temporary, technically. the line blurs between that and "not temporary"

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#123
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

China is fairly stable politically, but they practice more active censorship and have worse human rights violations compared to Russia today. They have strict visa regulations, a strict national ID system, and they definitely spy on people's e-mails and phone conversations. Skype had to release a special, wiretapped version specifically for China. They lack even a semblance of democracy, and protests are forbidden. J…

I mostly agree but in the end, both countries are a bad fit for Snowden with regards to his activism. Also, China doesn't really have strict visa regulations at all (for example, pretty much anyone can buy a one year visa within a few hours in Hong Kong, no questions asked). On the other hand, it is probably easier to apply for citizenship in Russia and the Russian passport is more convenient for travel. In any case,…

>On the other hand, it is probably easier to apply for citizenship in Russia and the Russian passport is more convenient for travel.

Snowden won't be doing much traveling. The second he shows up in a country that cooperates with the US or boards a flight, he's going to get picked up. I think he's going to be traveling by wheel from now on.

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#124
post #44

Fortunate for him he is not gay (as far as we know) as that's illegal in Russia and would prevent entry? In any case I hope he stays safe and I thank him for his sacrifice.

Being gay isn't illegal in Russia, “gay propaganda” is. This doesn't make the law less absurd.

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#125
I just want to point out that if Snowden would have been spying for Russia or China, he would not have any these problems. Countries don't return people who spy for them.

His knowledge is very likely still valuable and he could turn into traitor any day and Russia would take good care of him. He would get money, pension, citizenship and nice Datcha to live in. He is this predicament because he has not given up his principles.

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#126
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Snowden will halt the revelations abruptly. He would be a fool to break the agreement with Putin. Putin is a man of his word, and expects the same from Snowden. Information may continue to leak, but not from Snowden. His part of the show is finished (and luckily for him, he's not even bruised!).

> Putin is a man of his word :-)

I'm always amazed how the public opinion of putin ranges from "evil dictator" to "clever politician".

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#127
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Snowden will halt the revelations abruptly. He would be a fool to break the agreement with Putin. Putin is a man of his word, and expects the same from Snowden. Information may continue to leak, but not from Snowden. His part of the show is finished (and luckily for him, he's not even bruised!).

> Putin is a man of his word :-)

I'm always amazed how the public opinion of putin ranges from "evil dictator" to "clever politician".

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#128
For now, Snowden stays in the airport says his lawyer. However, considering the tone of the statement it looks like he will soon receive one.

    cnnbrk: Lawyer: Snowden hasn't yet received document that 
    would allow him outside of Moscow airport. 
https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/360047355329921025

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#129
post #95
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably. But can any one name one trust-able perfect country that would give a Snowden type asylum purely on principle, rather than for political reasons? I'll be honest, Im struggling to think of one.

May be Vatican.

they only offer asylum to child molesters

Re: Snowden asylum still under review, stays in airport for now

#130
post #101
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He should buy a fake identity and go somewhere else, I'm sure fake passport is easy to get in Russia.

Yeah... about as easy as to meet a wild drunken bear with a balalaika on a Moscow street.

Wow, so you'd have to work pretty hard not to receive a fake passport, then.
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