Russian, U.S. leaders tell security services to end Snowden standoff (Reuters)

[flamingdem]

Last edited Mon Jul 1, 2013, 12:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The Russian and U.S. presidents have told their security services to resolve the standoff over former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, Russia's RIA news agency quoted a Russian official as saying on Monday.

RIA cited Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisory Security Council, as saying it would not be easy for the FBI and Russia's FSB to agree over the fate of Snowden, who flew to Moscow from Hong Kong on June 23.

Putin has ignored calls to extradite Snowden to face espionage charges in the United States. Another Russian official, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, said Putin had not discussed the situation with U.S. President Barack Obama.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman, Editing by Timothy Heritage)

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/01/us-usa-security-snowden-russia-idUSBRE9600OT20130701

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Well it sounds like Putin has agreed to allow some kind of deal with the USA for Snowden. At least "security forces are talking" whatever that means. But there may be more twists and turns to come.

[Renew Deal]

1. Can't Russia put him on any outgoing flight?

If they wanted him gone, they could do it.

[flamingdem]

2. They appear to be worried about optics. Putin insists that Russia doesn't extradite people

So they just have to have some US marshalls stop by on their way to Hawaii or something and bump into Snowden at an airport hotel?

I would think an international group would be called on for the transfer.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Putin has agreed to allow the extradition of Snowden ?

Putin: Snowden can stay in Russia if he stops damaging USA.

President Vladimir Putin says NSA leaker Edward Snowden may stay in Russia, if he wants to, but only if he stops activities aimed against the United States.

“There is one condition if he wants to remain here: he must stop his work aimed at damaging our American partners. As odd as it may sound from me,” Putin told a media conference in Moscow.

In Putin’s opinion, Snowden considers himself “a fighter for human rights” and it seems unlikely that he is going to stop leaking American secret data.

However, Russia is not going to extradite Snowden, the president underlined.

“Russia has never extradited anyone and is not going to do so. Same as no one has ever been extradited to Russia,” Putin stated.

http://rt.com/news/putin-snowden-asylum-extradite-489/

see also : http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014524034

[flamingdem]

4. The USA has returned 1,700 Russian citizens to Russia - 500+ of them criminal deportations

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/29/19176611-our-unlikely-man-in-moscow-takes-on-putin-over-human-rights-spying-and-snowden?lite

* Putin has to keep this in mind

Reacting to Putin’s claim that he couldn't extradite the American because there was no such treaty between the United States and Russia, McFaul fired off this reminder: "Over last 5 yrs US has returned 1,700 Russian citizens to Russia w/ 500+ of them being criminal deportations" – a shrewd talking point followed by more chatter about basketball

[RC]

14. "criminal deportations"

Criminals in our eyes... Or Russia's?

There always seems to be plenty of space between the lines with these guys.

[flamingdem]

15. I don't know much about how Russia deals with the "Russian Mafia"

but that's certainly a problem in the USA

[treestar]

16. In our eyes

People can be deported due to their criminal convictions:

http://www.justice.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm01934.htm

[DesMoinesDem]

5. “Russia has never extradited anyone and is not going to do so."

Putin: “Russia has never extradited anyone and is not going to do so."

Your translation: "Well it sounds like Putin has agreed to allow the extradition of Snowden."

[flamingdem]

7. Not that simple, but if "security forces are talking" something is going on

and it might be the development of some kind of fig leaf to save Putin's face

[DesMoinesDem]

10. LOL

[dotymed]

12. Organized Crime

has always cut deals. The U.S. and Russia are the two largest "syndicates" in existence, IMO.

[flamingdem]

9. I updated it to reflect a more vague

situation. To me it looks like Putin wants this situation to get resolved. Why lose favor with the USA? He might like the idea of tweaking the eagle's feathers but that has consequences, so why not play ball and get something in return.

We may not really know what the "deal" involves

[Jessy169]

6. And if Snowden stays in Moscow, what then?

I lived in St. Petersburg and Moscow for a couple of years total back around 1995 - 1997. Other than teaching English, I'm not sure what work he's going to get. Maybe the modern version of the KGB will hire him, but that is doubtful. Russian women aren't going to be interested in him because he's definitely lost his appeal as a "free ticket to America". How's Snowden going to earn a ruble?

On a conspiratorial note, what are the chances that the whole Snowden debacle is just an officially sanctioned and planned event to de-sensitize us to the fact that our electronic communications are being heavily analyzed and recorded?

[flamingdem]

8. Good point. Someone has to support Snowden in Russia

My guess is that if he stays he will live a simple life courtesy of the Russian government.

Funny for a Libertarian.

I like your take on Russian women not being interested since he's not a way to Amerika!
Nevertheless I imagine he'll find a replacement for the famous pole dancing gf over there.

[totodeinhere]

11. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee has established a legal defense fund

for Snowden and they claim to have raised a substantial sum so far. I'm not sure if some of this money could be used to support him or if it can only be used for legal expenses. But I do suspect that at least at first he would have no trouble getting donations to help him defer his living expenses. Moscow is an expensive place to live if that's where he ends up. But it's a far cry from the way it was during the Soviet days. If he has access to sufficient funds he should be able to have a good life there.

[Bosonic]

13. US fugitive Snowden applies for political asylum in Russia: Russian official

#BREAKING: US fugitive Snowden applies for political asylum in Russia: Russian official

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/351742801744101376