Ecuador says Snowden asylum document unauthorized

[Bacchus4.0]

http://news.yahoo.com/ecuador-says-snowden-asylum-document-unauthorized-133014272.html

.. . ..
MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN and JULIE PACE 2 hours ago .QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador's diplomatic mission in London issued a safe-conduct pass so National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden could travel to Ecuador to seek political asylum, but the action was unauthorized and the pass is invalid, government officials said Thursday.

President Obama sought to downplay the international chase for the man he called "a 29-year-old hacker" and lower the temperature of an issue that has raised tensions between the U.S. and uneasy partners Russia and China. Obama said in Senegal that the damage to U.S. national security has already been done and his top focus now is making sure it can't happen again.

In contrast, Ecuadorean officials took a defiant tone as they scrambled to explain a single-page, unsigned letter dated June 22 that says Snowden has the right to travel to Ecuador for purposes of political asylum, and asks other countries to allow him safe passage. The letter was published by the Univision television network Wednesday night.

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But they reacted strongly to threats from U.S. lawmakers that amnesty for Snowden would cost Ecuador valuable trade preferences. Officials announced they were "renouncing" the benefits and said they were being used as blackmail.

[JI7]

1. i wonder if it came from Assange

[railsback]

2. So, what happened to the big Snowden announcement

Ecuador was supposed to make over 3 hours ago, when they said they were going to make an announcement in 1/2 an hour? I do believe the stark reality of losing a ton in trade is hitting home right now. The Ecuador Chamber of Commerce has already given Correa an earful of 'disappointment'. Thousands of nationals sacrificed for two non-nationals. My Gawd.