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July 15, 2013

White House: Russia Providing Snowden With "Propaganda Platform" 
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Despite Edward Snowden's public statement seeking asylum, the Russian
government says it has yet to receive a formal application from him. The
Obama administration, meanwhile, continues to demand that Russia remand
Snowden to U.S. custody. In his first known contact with a foreign
leader over Snowden's plight, President Obama had a phone discussion
with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend. In Washington,
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney criticized Russia for allowing
Snowden to meet with human rights groups at the airport.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney: "We have had conversations with
Russian officials at a variety of high levels and the president actually
does have a call scheduled with President Putin for later today. That is
a call that has been on the books for several days. And I would simply
say that providing a propaganda platform for Mr. Snowden runs counter to
the Russian government's previous declarations of Russia's neutrality
and that they have, and that they have no control over his presence in
the airport."

At the State Department, spokesperson Jen Psaki warned that granting
Snowden asylum by Russia or any other country could jeopardize U.S.
ties.

Jen Psaki: "There's no question that, as we've stated with any country
that would have a roll in assisting him either in transit or a final
place for him to live, that that would raise concerns in our
relationship. However we are not at that point yet.

Reporter: "Raise concerns, or would it damage the relationship
irreparably?"

Jen Psaki: "They still have the opportunity to do the right thing and
return Mr. Snowden to the United States and that's what our hope is."

 

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