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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn Ecuador, fears of US retaliation over Snowden case
The small South American nation has been at the center of the international drama involving the former National Security Agency contractor, whose global flight from American justice has shaken US ties with a clutch of nations including Russia and China.
Business leaders fear that giving Snowden asylum could prompt the United States to take retaliatory measures, with a preferential trade deal set to expire at the end of July unless Washington renews it.
"We don't have the luxury of taking the wrong steps," the head of the Ecuadoran Business Committee, Roberto Aspiazu, told AFP.
"What would we gain from giving political asylum to Snowden -- confirming Ecuador's international image as an anti-imperialist country? I don't think we need that."
http://www.france24.com/en/20130626-ecuador-fears-us-retaliation-over-snowden-case
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)flamingdem
(39,335 posts)I think that it'll have to be Iceland. Plus, fast internet.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Did Wikileaks blow it, and intentionally at that? Either way, it looks like Wikileaks fumbled this one, and their involvement in this whole affair is looking more and more suspect. Hmm, and we hear talk of a limited hangout surrounding Snowden too
It seems Wikileaks couldnt help but leak this important operations to smuggle the whistleblower into scenic Nordic isle via a series of chartered private jets, and operation which would cost up to $1 million and change. The operation was to be funded, we are told, through an initiative funded through contributions by individuals using Wikileaks as a sort of intermediary.
Well cut Wikileaks some slack if this turns out to be a clever false start that eventually leads to Reykjavik.
http://21stcenturywire.com/2013/06/25/our-man-in-iceland-snowden-is-bound-for-reykjavik/
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)Anti-imperialist! The horror!
flamingdem
(39,335 posts)but it wouldn't be right for them to accept Snowden and hurt so many who rely on trade with the USA.
I would respect Correa for saying no on this one. Assange is not the same can of worms.
In the end realpolitik dominates, like it or not.
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)Got it.
flamingdem
(39,335 posts)As one person on that thread says:
Ecuador has been begging the U.S. to renew the ATPDEA, due to expire July 31. They've also been trying to negotiate a free trade agreement with the U.S., knowing full well Columbia's free trade pact is sucking revenue away from them. Correa knows Ecuador can't survive on oil revenues alone (see: Venezuela), and is bucking a decades old trend of not signing any trade pacts with foreign nations. I mean, do we really give a shit about some ex-patriots hanging out in Ecuador? Pftt. The U.S. doesn't need Ecuador. Ecuador NEEDS the U.S.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/110819629
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)There is more than leaks here, actually a gusher, and if any planning the leaks thinks this will bring down the world then they have played their trump card too early. When you dine with buzzards you can't soar with the eagles, enjoy your road kill.