--- US Secretary of State John Kerry said it would be "deeply troubling" if it became clear that China had "wilfully" allowed him to fly out of Hong Kong. ---<p>As a generally pro US European I have to wonder if the US realizes the extent of the PR disaster it is creating with each passing statement. I mean what does this idle threat really accomplish?<p>It makes China look good, it makes the states look like the bully and it carries absolutely zero weight. If anything it just makes China look stronger internationally.
The title is ambigous. I speak russian, so I've checked one russian news resource: <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=ru&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazeta.ru%2Fpolitics%2Fnews%2F2013%2F06%2F25%2Fn_2995905.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=...</a><p>Lavrov actualy said "Snowden hasn't crossed the russian border", not "has not entered Russia".<p>The quote from the article in OP's link:
> Correspondents say Mr Lavrov's comments suggest that Mr Snowden remained airside after landing in Moscow, and so has technically never entered Russian territory.<p>During last couple of days there were a number of news telling that Snowden flew to Moscow but never crossed the russian border(he had no visa anyway). The only new information in bbc's article is Lavrov's confirmation.<p>So: Snowden (probably) crossed HK border before flight to Moscow, but after arrival in Moscow he (probably) hasn't crossed the border.
> He also called on Russia to "live by the standards of the law because that's in the interests of everybody".<p>What he means is that he calls on Russia to side-step its own law and enact US laws in Russia when it benefits the US.<p>And that the US should be allowed to side-step the law whenever and wherever it so damns pleases.<p>What a hypocrite.
The term "enter" (a country) is a term of art in immigration law and international law, so, yes, it is technically possible that Snowden is on the sovereign territory of Russia without ever having entered Russia. The issue of what travel documents he was using to get on the last airline flight he took, and whether or not those will be considered valid for entry to Russia by Russian authorities, is one of the many interesting open questions in this case.<p>Does anyone reading this thread have any serious doubt that China uses all national technical means available to maintain surveillance of as many places it can reach, especially in regard to separatist movements like the Tibetan and Eastern Turkestan independence movements? Likewise for Russia; can there be any reasonable doubt that Russia monitors much (all?) Internet traffic to the country from elsewhere, or within the country in general?
> US officials have defended the practice of gathering telephone and internet data from private users around the world.<p>> They say Prism cannot be used to target intentionally any Americans or anyone in the US, [...].<p>What a relief to us unAmericans..
First North Korea and Iran make a mockery of the USA in negotiations over their nuclear capabilities. Now it's Hong Kong and Russia. Next in line is Ecuador. The reservoir of USA authority is evaporating fast with no real way to stop it. As far as the game of diplomacy is concerned the score so far is USA 0 - 4 Rest of the World (all own goals).<p>The consequences of this could be rather serious. A diminished USA is going to leave a vacuum which, regardless of the current behaviour of the USA government, is not going to be a good thing as Russia and China rush in to grab what they can.<p>Writing the history of this and the subsequent events in a hundred years or so will be very interesting.
I guess one good thing about this charade is it keeps the media interested. These sorts of stories normally disappear after a few days, with only the most enthusiastic person able to dedicate their time to follow them.<p>Same thing with Assange, him being stuck in an embassy is a bit of a freak show (can't think of a better phrase). He pops up randomly and the press can't help but point their cameras and microphones at him. Assange is practically on the media's doorstep.
It's funny, I look at all this and what comes to mind is the movie "Iron Sky" with its cleverly depicted political landscape. If you watched it, you'll understand :)<p>The US cheated their way into the Iraq war. Invaded Afghanistan. With Iran likely the next target. Stirred up the Middle East with Egypt, Libya, Syria on fire. Commit drone strikes worldwide. Kidnap and torture people on foreign soil. Keep half the world under surveillance. And the language they converse in is of demands and threats.<p>I think we have a major bully emerging here.
<i>[Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov] criticised what he termed US attempts to blame Russia for his disappearance, saying they were "groundless and unacceptable".</i><p>and<p><i>Meanwhile, China has also described US accusations that it facilitated the departure of fugitive Edward Snowden from Hong Kong as "groundless and unacceptable".</i><p>Does anyone else find it slightly odd that they used identical wording? Is this a case of the Chinese saying "well the Russians nailed it, let's use the exact same phrase", or what precisely?
Right, he's in the international transit area, so not officially "in Russia", despite being within Russian territory. (There was that stupid movie The Terminal with Tom Hanks which might be relevant here...)
"So Komrade Snowden. We are the FSA. You can talk to us willingly, or talk to this rubber hose... or you can go to the US Embassy for protection. Muhahahahaha"
Nevertheless:<p><i>06/25 14:37 RUSSIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES MAY DETAIN SNOWDEN TO ESTABLISH ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING PASSPORT DETAILS - SOURCE</i><p><a href="http://www.interfax.com/news.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.interfax.com/news.asp</a>
Russian authorities are either mocking the Obama administration or learning from it:<p>> ... Mr Lavrov said. "He chose his itinerary on his own. We learnt about it... from the media.
>Russia says it has had no involvement in the travel plans of fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.<p>Is Russia relenting to the US pressure?
Two things:
1. Putin is sick and tired of US raining (or trying to) on his parade. This would tell US to go F itself, increase Putin's cred in Russia and in many other countries.<p>2. Snowden has a trove of intel that Russia would love to have.