NYET GAIN: Secrets-leaker Edward Snowden cozies up to Russian activists in Moscow yesterday. He has petitioned President Vladimir Putin (inset) for temporary asylum, outraging President Obama. (
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Fugitive super-leaker Edward Snowden asked Russia for asylum yesterday in a surprise move that outraged the United States and prompted President Obama to call the Kremlin for an explanation.
Snowden — trapped for three weeks in a Moscow airport — nervously told a handpicked group of politicians and activists that he needs a temporary haven in Russia before he can make a break for another country.
Snowden, facing US felony charges, used the meeting to defend his “moral decision” to leak details of anti-terror efforts, witnesses said.
The White House denounced Russia for handing Snowden a “propaganda forum” and said Obama had called Russian President Vladimir Putin to get answers.
Snowden had asked for asylum shortly after secretly arriving on June 23 from Hong Kong, where he had begun his secrets-spilling campaign. But he quickly dropped his bid after Putin demanded a promise that he would halt actions that “harm the United States.”
Yesterday, in Snowden’s 45-minute, closed-door meeting, he said he could promise to be a good boy.
“He said he was informed of this condition and that he can easily accept it,” said legislator Vyachyeslav Nikonov, who was present and represents Russia’s dominant pro-Putin party.
“I asked him if he was ready to give up his political activity against the United States. He said, ‘Definitely, yes, all this activity was in the past,’ ” said Nikonov., who described Snowden as “a bit nervous, but smiling.”
But Snowden’s promise of good behavior may be limited to his time in Russia. He told the meeting he needs asylum so he has freedom of movement that could allow him to flee soon to Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua or Venezuela.
He had requested asylum in 27 countries but all except those and Russia had refused.
It’s unclear whether Snowden still has the files of US secrets he stole and whether news organizations that helped leak the secrets would abide by his pledge.
The Obama administration was outraged by Snowden’s meeting, which was clearly coordinated with airport officials and likely with the Kremlin as well.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States was “disappointed” that Russia “facilitated this meeting.” White House spokesman Jay Carney said that “providing a propaganda platform for Mr. Snowden runs counter to the Russian government’s previous declarations of Russia’s neutrality.”
Snowden’s appearance, which was briefly caught on video, ends intense speculation that he had somehow fled the airport for somewhere in Russia, escaped on a flight — or had never left Hong Kong.
He told the activists he realized he couldn’t stay at the airport forever. He said his decision to leak secrets “has been costly, but it was the right thing to do, and I have no regrets.”
Later yesterday, the Wikileaks organization posted an unrepentant statement by Snowden that began, “A little over one month ago, I had family, a home in paradise, and I lived in great comfort. I also had the capability without any warrant to search for, seize and read your communications. Anyone’s communications at any time.”
During the airport meeting human-rights activist Tanya Lokshina said Snowden appeared to be “in good health” but actually “looks like a schoolboy.”
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