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May 29, 2014

Snowden: Leaks Helped U.S.; State Dept. Forced Russia Asylum 
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The National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden has spoken out
in his first interview with an American television network. NBC aired an
hour-long interview with Snowden Wednesday night conducted by anchor
Brian Williams in Moscow last week. Snowden told Williams he believes
his disclosures of mass surveillance had helped his country rather than
caused harm.

Edward Snowden: "We've had the first federal open court to ever review
these programs to declare it likely unconstitutional and Orwellian. And
now you see Congress agreeing that mass surveillance, bulk collection,
needs to end. With all of these things happening, that the government
agrees, all the way up to the president again, make us stronger, how can
it be said that I did not serve my government? How can it be said that
this harmed the country when all three branches of government have made
reforms as a result of it?"

The first of Snowden's disclosures were revealed one year ago next week.
In his interview, Snowden blamed the State Department for forcing him to
remain in Russia after revoking his passport.

Brian Williams: "What are you doing in Russia?"

Edward Snowden: "So this is a really fair concern. I personally am
surprised I ended up here. The reality is I never intended to end up in
Russia. I had a flight booked to Cuba, onwards to Latin America and I
was stopped because the United States government decided to revoke my
passport and trap me in Moscow airport. So, when people ask, 'why are
you in Russia?' I say, please, ask the State Department."

 

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