@Walter Hinteler,
Walter Hinteler wrote:
Frank Apisa wrote:On what are you suggesting I have changed my mind.
I can think of nothing in the quoted statement that rises to a change of mind.
As far as I remember, you didn't say before that he could "stay in exile with asylum granted".
But I can be wrong here.
He always had the option to stay where he could/would be granted asylum. By saying that I thought he should return for trial...I thought I was acknowledging that. Obviously I was acknowledging the fact that he did not have to voluntarily return...and while in a grant of asylum, I can think of no way for us to capture him...unless we get James Bond involved.
In any case, at no point have I ever suggested that asylum (where appropriate) could not be granted and received by Snowden. Obviously there are some countries where that would not be possible, because treaties might interfere...but Russia is a country where that factor does not come into play.
So Snowden can stay in Russia...a place where there is much less intrusion into the privacy of each individual...or maybe go back to China, where personal privacy is even more respected.
(Sorry about the sarcasm, Walter. I know you are speaking and arguing from convictions. But keep in mind that I am also.)