NSA leaker Edward Snowden may not have to wait long to start a new career in Russia, that is, if he has any interest in working for the country’s equivalent for Facebook.
From Reuters:
American fugitive Edward Snowden was offered a job by Russia’s top social networking site on Thursday, hours after the former intelligence contractor received a year-long asylum in Russia.
“We invite Edward Snowden to Petersburg and will be happy if he decides to join the star team of programmers at VKontakte,” Pavel Durov, one of the founders of the St. Petersburg-based VKontakte, Russia’s answer to Facebook, said on his profile.
Earlier today, Russia granted Snowden a one year temporary asylum and the former NSA contractor finally left the Sheremetyevo Airport after more than a month hiding out in the airport’s transit zone.
In this afternoon’s White House press briefing, spokesman Jay Carney said the news was “not a positive development.”
From the AP (via Yahoo News):
“We are extremely disappointed that the Russian government would take this step despite our very clear and lawful requests in public and in private to have Mr. Snowden expelled to the United States to face the charges against him,” Carney said.
Obama is scheduled to attend the Group of 20 economic summit in St. Petersburg, Russia in September. Asked whether today’s news would prompt any change in those plans, Carney said that is a decision yet to be determined. He also addressed the fact that the two countries have many issues at hand, including differences in policy stances on Syria, given Russia’s support for the Assad regime, according to the AP report.
“We are evaluating the utility of a summit.”
[…]
“There is no question that there are a range of issues, setting aside the disposition of Mr. Snowden, on which we are currently in disagreement with Russia.”
The US was not notified in advance of Russia’s decision to grant Snowden temporary asylum, according to Carney.
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Comments
First, he has to learn the language.
As to Facebook, here, I’ve heard it called “feces-book” … So I’m not at all sure what role it plays in anything.
I was once told old timers like me went on Facebook to find old boyfriends. What other advantages does it hold?
And, what’s “to tweet?” The same? Or different?
Gosh, from my own yoot I remember parents getting upset if you were on the phone for longer than 20 minutes. And, I remember phone cords so long … you could take the receiver into a closet … where you hoped your parents didn’t know you were still on the phone.
I wonder if they could find Obama a job working in a sandwich shop or some other job that he might be able to do.
Putin’s utter contempt for Obama must be pretty painful for The Won.
I’d guess he’s thought about it once or twice.
What does “notified in advance” mean? Hasn’t it been obvious Snowden is safe? It seems the media kept flying into Moscow, and tearing around the terminal, all searching for an exclusive story.
So, even the media couldn’t get to Snowden.
What Putin wants Putin gets.
Israel’s the only “fig leaf” left for Kerry and Hagel. Russia also won its bet on Syria. (And, up at REDDIT is a story that Benghazi had dozens of CIA agents on the ground, slipping arms to the syrian rebels. It’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. Because it was some of those arms that got mis-directed to the locals. Who used them when it attacked the American “outpost.” It wasn’t the Embassy.) You know, if Hillary thinks Benghazi is “behind her” … she may discover that her testimony before Congress blows her hips wide apart.)
I have posted here that unfortunately the Benghazi 4 ( plus 30 ) may not be heroes a all. CIA must follow the admin’s orders -I understand – but what they were doing there may not be what many think is a positive.
Starting to look like ContraGate – of which LI readers will have differing views.
“Starting to look like…..” Oh, please, that has been obvious from 12 Sep 2012. You’re right, the people on the ground may not have been doing what the populace would think highly of…but they WERE following orders from Obama and his administration. Four of them paid with their life while Obama and Clinton sit fat, safe and happy. SPIT!
Exactly.
When this ultimately all dies down, I’m afraid Snowden merely traded life in Hawaii for a life (maybe not so good, since he’s not trustworthy) in Russia. And it’s unclear for what. Did he help people, hurt the U.S., do anything that will have effect. Good? Bad? Mixed? Who knows.
It would be hilarious if during the press conference for the summit in Moscow, Snowden shows up to ask a question from Obama
In other news, Putin has given Snowden a vodka allowance- which serves as entertainment and also heat in the winter.
We have not heard the last of Snowden and he NSA. There will be more to come out.
he = the
So, is he shacking up with Anna Chapman, or did he blow the deal?