A common angle from the mainstream U.S. media is that NSA leaker Edward Snowden will regret his asylum in Russia (rather than life in prison in the U.S.). A quote from ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern was used in support of that theme, but he has asked the New York Times to clarify it.<\/i><\/p>\n
I was quoted in Steven Lee Myers\u2019s \u201cIn Shadows, Hints of a Life and Even a Job for Snowden<\/a>,\u201d published by the New York Times on Oct. 31, as saying (about former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden), \u201cHe\u2019s free, but not completely free\u201d in asylum in Russia.<\/p>\n An unfortunate juxtaposition in the text of Mr. Myers\u2019s piece has led several acquaintances to misinterpret my words. I trust you will agree that the issue is of some importance; thus, my request that you publish this clarification.<\/p>\n Mr. Myers quotes me correctly. Unfortunately, the immediately preceding sentences quote a Russian journalist, who \u201ccautioned\u201d that the appearance of a \u201chappy, open asylum\u201d could be \u201cpropaganda,\u201d and that the Russian security services might be waiting to question Mr. Snowden until he becomes \u201cincreasingly dependent on them.\u201d<\/p>\n This is not at all what I meant by \u201cnot completely free.\u201d For starters, I guess I\u2019m not sure how free you can feel being stateless, the State Department having revoked your passport.<\/p>\n