Posted on 06/25/2013 9:45:37 AM PDT by kronos77
(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday a former U.S. spy agency contractor sought by the United States was in the transit area of a Moscow airport but ruled out handing him over to Washington, dismissing U.S. criticisms as "ravings and rubbish".
His refusal to hand back Edward Snowden risked deepening a rift with the United States that has also sucked in China and threatens relations between countries that may be essential in settling global conflicts including the Syrian war.
China rejected U.S. criticism for letting Snowden flee the Chinese colony of Hong Kong as "baseless".
In his first public comments on Snowden since the fugitive flew in on Sunday, Putin said the 30-year-old American was in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, not having gone through passport control, was free to leave and should do so as soon as he could.
Snowden has applied for asylum in Ecuador but Quito has said it is still considering the application and the United States is trying to persuade the governments of countries where he might head to hand him over.
"He has not crossed the state's border, and therefore does not need a visa. And any accusations against Russia (of aiding him) are ravings and rubbish," Putin told a news conference during a visit to Finland.
Making clear Moscow saw no gain in extraditing Snowden, he said: "It's like giving a baby pig a haircut: there's a lot of squealing, but there's little wool."
"We can hand over foreign citizens to countries with which we have an appropriate international agreement on the extradition of criminals. We don't have such an agreement with the United States ... Thank God, Mr. Snowden committed no crimes on the territory of the Russian Federation."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
wow, we finally found someone who will not be intimidated by adolf hussein.
That just in case Obama failed to notice Pootie Poot's first slap across his ugly mug.
What a beat-down.
Maybe Barry could issue an executive order?
Or a bull. He’s good with bull.
so who is the pig..the US or Snowden
I don’t think Snowden has revealed anything most Americans have not assumed was going on for the last few decades at least. Not sure scrutiny of 300+ million people to stop 50 potential terrorist acts is worth it, but it is what it is. Funny how he has made the administration look so foolish though.
Putin has a prize in hand, and I’d say that Snowden might as well start taking Russian lessons.
I took it to mean Obama (i.e. Obama is squealing for Snowden’s return but there’s no value in returning him because Obama is so weak. The metaphor isn’t particularly apt...but it’s kind of cute).
“”there’s a lot of squealing, but there’s little wool.””
I’ll be the first to be politically INcorrect! I’m fed up and I don’t really care anymore!! It’s about time someone pulled this guy’s string and if it takes Putin to do it, more power to him.
The Narcissistic man-child Hussein, must be besides himself to learn that he can not order China or Pootie poot around, and worse to have attacks from the left, and realize that HE is now a laughingstock around the world. Sadly our entire country is now a laughing stock, but IS a small consulation that Hussein must now attempt to pretend that he is still relevant.
IThe 2004 Beslan school massacre may be on his mind as well.
Zero is arming these people.
After our own experience with the ROP in 2001, our leaders would be outraged as .... wait a second.
Remember when Timmy went to China and the class of MBAs laughed at him?
There is no respect on the world stage for our whoring leaders.
At this point, as a measure of strength, it is in Putin’s best interest that Snowden is safe from the US at least for a while.
So was Pelosi a part of the raving or the rubbish?
I don't think this line would have ever been used on Ronald Reagan...
J Fn Kerry (who was in Vietnam) is making an arse of himself too, going around saying there might be consequences. Who taught these fools about the world neighborhood? When in a fight, You NEVER telegraph your punch.
With all of the international disrespected heaped upon Obomber, I expect him to try something[stupid] to boost his reputation. Perhaps “shock and awe” in Syria?
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