Even while disavowing a confrontation with Russia over Edward Snowden, the United States has renewed its demand for the whistleblower’s expulsion, asserting there is a “clear legal basis” for Moscow to turn him over.
Following President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of any action against Snowden on the grounds that he did not commit any crime in Russian territory, the White House argued that his travel documents were no longer valid, with his passport having been revoked.
As the whistleblower remained holed up in Moscow airport since his arrival from Hong Kong on Sunday, the Obama Administration asked the Putin Government to “take action to expel Snowden without delay and to build upon the strong law enforcement cooperation we have had”.
“While we do not have an extradition treaty with Russia, there is nonetheless a clear legal basis to expel Snowden, based on the status of his travel documents and the pending charges against him,” said National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
The US statement came even as Ecuador, the latin American country where Snowden has sought asylum, appeared to be dragging its feet by indicating that it could take months to decide whether to grant him asylum.
In what is being viewed as a setback for Snowden’s immediate plans, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said in Kuala lumpur that it took his country two months before granting asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange last year. “So do not expect us to make a decision sooner this time,” he told reporters during a visit to Malaysia.
Reports from Ecuador’s Capital of Quito spoke of apprehensions that the US could retaliate with trade sanctions if it were to push ahead and grant the asylum.
Asked if the Ecuador embassy in Moscow would offer Snowden protection while considering his request for asylum, Patino reportedly commented if he did go to the embassy, they would then make a decision.
But venturing out of Moscow airport’s transit zone and proceeding to the Ecuadoran embassy in the city could possibly force the Russian government to act against Snowden. Both Putin and his Foreign Minister, Sergei lavrov, have made the point that there is no ground for action since Snowden has in a technical sense not crossed into Russian territory so far.
Perhaps counting on Moscow to act in such circumstances, Washington toned down its earlier criticism of Russia, along with China and Hong Kong over their actions in dealing with this matter.
“We are not looking for a confrontation. We are not ordering anything. We are simply requesting,” Kerry said in Saudi Arabia, in a slight softening of stance. At the same time, he maintained: “There are standards of behavior between sovereign nations. There is common law. There is respect for rule of law.”
At the same time, US officials, led by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, were continuing with their behind-the-scenes diplomatic scramble to persuade Russia to change its mind. Amid the speculation that Russia may be working on Snowden, Wikileaks asserted in a Twitter message that he was not being “de-briefed” by FSB, the Russian intelligence agency. “He is well and Wikileaks’ Harrison is escorting him at all times,” said the message.