Snowden escapes Hong Kong ahead of US dragnet

■ NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden arrived in Moscow Sunday, eluding an extradition demand issued by the Obama administration to the government of Hong Kong. Snowden was a passenger on board Aeroflot flight SU213, leaving just before noon and arriving in Moscow about 5 p.m. local time. The governments of both China and Russia turned a blind eye to Washington’s claims that Snowden was a criminal fugitive who should be detained wherever authorities found him and then turned over to US custody. There is no question that the Hong Kong action was not an independent one, but was coordinated with Beijing, which has full control over Hong Kong’s relations with foreign powers, including the United States. Russian media reports said that Snowden would fly from Moscow to Havana on Monday. From Cuba he would make his way to another Latin American capital, most likely Quito, Ecuador, although some reports suggested he was bound for Caracas, Venezuela. According to a statement issued by WikiLeaks Sunday, Snowden “is bound for the Republic of Ecuador via a safe route for the purposes of asylum, and is being escorted by diplomats and legal advisors from WikiLeaks. Mr. Snowden requested that WikiLeaks use its legal expertise and experience to secure his safety.” ■ On Sunday television interview programs, both Democratic and Republican legislators denounced Russia and China. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said, “I hope we’ll chase him to the ends of the Earth, bring him to justice and let the Russians know there will be consequences if they harbor this guy.” Even more strident was liberal Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York. “What’s infuriating here is Prime Minister Putin of Russia aiding and abetting Snowden’s escape,” he said. “I think it will have serious consequences for the United States-Russia relationship.” Schumer linked Putin’s refusal to seize Snowden and turn him over to Washington to Russian opposition to US policies in the Middle East. “Allies are supposed to treat each other in decent ways,” he said, “and Putin always seems almost eager to put a finger in the eye of the United States, whether it is Syria, Iran, and now, of course, with Snowden.”

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