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Snowden in Russia

Snowden remains in Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport transit zone limbo. Russia's his safest option. Traveling elsewhere's too risky. It's hazardous. He's seeking temporary asylum. Odds are he'll get it. Moscow won't extradite him. It has no treaty obligation to do so. Washington never repatriated Russian defectors. Heavy US pressure's exerted anyway. Few countries resist. Few push back effectively. China can do it. So can Russia. On the one hand, Putin values good relations. On the other, he won't be bullied.

Supporting Snowden's politically advantageous. According to Der Spiegel: His activist status largely united a "deeply divided society. Whether conservative or liberal, anti- or pro-American, Putin supporter or opponent - they have all voiced support for granting (him) asylum." Expect Putin to take full advantage. He has plenty of domestic problems. Snowden changes the subject. Supporting him's politically beneficial. At the same time, he'll be diplomatically careful. It shows in his comments. Der Spiegel

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-is-using-snowden-case-to-boost-his-political-support-a-911053.html believes Kremlin officials are involved. They're helping Snowden. They wouldn't be without official authorization. ...... M O R E: from Steve Lendman

http://sjlendman.blogspot.de/2013/07/snowden-in-russia.html

Peter Weber

UK Indymedia

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Snowden in Russia