THE WORM TURNS : PUTIN SAYS SNOWDEN SHOULD STOP HARMING 'OUR AMERICAN PARTNERS'

In a political turnaround that could give whiplash  even to the most seasoned political experts, Putin this morning expressed that Snowden was now persona non grata, a clear signal that the whistle blower could soon be packed back to the United States. Although he laconically did add that he still would not surrender him.  Having not gotten satisfaction from the man himself, he will not probably use him to obtain some favor from the U.S.

This is a clear disengagement probably due to the fact that Snowden has concealed his cache of documents and given it either to Wikileaks or some other entities for safekeeping, and has kept steadfastly out of becoming a collaborator for Russia.

In that sense, Snowden might be edging towards a return stateside, and  knows therefore what any collaboration with Russia could entail if he returns, but on the other, he could be in a bona fide commitment to keep those secrets from the hands of the Russians and in so doing trying to keep control of his message and his mission, much to the country's displeasure. 

After a clear defection on the part of Ecuador on a promise of swift, or clear, concession of asylum papers and an obvious non agreement with Venezuela, whose president is in Russia today, Putin has few choices remaining and is faced with having to host Snowden indefinitely without gaining anything for himself. 

Coming from an ex KGB director, the words are significant.  There is little goodwill for a whistleblower in Russia, which used to be dominated, and in great part it still is, by secret services.  At one point in time, one in three people in Russia worked directly or was an informant for the KGB, making life nearly impossible for its citizens.  Like the Stasi, th KGB's powers were ubiquitous and intrusive.  

In the end however, the slap that Putin wished to give the U.S. in hosting Snowden, has become a quick retreat and the only exit left after the assessment of the whistleblower which turned up very little for the Russian to exploit, is to try to obtain some favor from the U.S. in exchange for packing Snowden and sending him back to America.   



Source : Huff Post/ 7.1.13