The former CIA employee who leaked information about the
U.S. surveillance programs before fleeing to China said Wednesday he wants the
city of Hong Kong to decide his fate.
Edward Snowden told the South China Morning Post newspaper
that he’s “neither a traitor nor hero. I’m an American.”
The 29-year-old reportedly also told the newspaper his plans
for the immediate future, steps he claims the U.S. has taken since he broke his
cover in Hong Kong, fears for his family as well as explosive details on U.S.
surveillance targets.
Snowden says it was not his intent “to hide from justice”
but to “reveal criminality.”
“I have had many opportunities to flee HK, but I would
rather stay and fight the United States government in the courts, because I
have faith in Hong Kong’s rule of law,” he told the paper.
Snowden says he has committed no crimes in Hong Kong and has
“been given no reason to doubt (Hong Kong’s legal) system.”
Snowden is behind one of the biggest intelligence leaks in
American history. The former Booz Allen Hamilton contractor who worked at the
National Security Agency, hopped a flight to Asia on May 20 and has remained on
the lam ever since.
So far, the Hong Kong government has not commented on
Snowden’s case and Snowden says he plans to stay in the Asian city until he is
“asked to leave.”
In earlier interviews with two newspapers, Snowden said he
sought refuge in Hong Kong because of its “strong tradition of free speech.”
On Saturday, local activists are planning a rally in support
of Snowden.
In Washington, support for Snowden among lawmakers is
waning.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he
should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
On Wednesday, many members of Congress expressed anger and
confusion over the sweeping secret surveillance programs revealed recently,
after receiving an unusual briefing on the government's yearslong collection of
phone records and Internet usage.
The phalanx of FBI, legal and intelligence officials who
briefed the entire House was the latest attempt to soothe outrage over the NSA
programs that collect billions of Americans' phone and Internet records.
Since
they were revealed last week, the programs have spurred distrust in the Obama
administration from around the world.
But while many rank-and-file members of Congress have
expressed anger and confusion, there is apparently very little appetite among
key leaders and intelligence committee chiefs to pursue any action.
Most have described Snowden as a "traitor" and
have expressed support for the programs as an invaluable counterterror tool.
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