Snowed-in

With Edward Snowden’s sojourn at Sheremtyevo Airport increasingly resembling the film The Terminal (itself based on a true life story of an Iranian stuck in Charles de Gaulle airport following the revolution in his country), I wonder if he is beginning to fear the worst.  As Bertie Wooster would say, if you’re in a drama, you don’t want it to be a Russian one.  Of course, being at the airport’s transit hotel (which must be charging a fortune, given that the one in Beijing charges at an hourly rate) means he is officially not on Russian territory and, with Vladimir Putin’s ‘dictatorship of the law’, there will no Entebbe-style raid to inveigle Snowden out of the terminal.

The twists and turns are becoming increasingly bizarre.  By chance, the presidents of Venzuela and Bolivia, Nicholas Maduro and Evo Morales respectively, who are favourable to Snowden were in Moscow to discuss energy deals with Putin.  When Morales tried to return to his country he was forced to land in Austria as Portugal, France and Italy (all founding NATO members) denied his plane permission to use their airspace, believing Snowden aboard his plane.  This was clearly motivated by pressure from the USA and is a form of air piracy, effectively stating to Morales (and any would be diplomatic flight) “Stand and deliver,” like a highwayman of the past.  While Snowden’s father reveres him like Paul Revere, the US government is inclined to see him more as another Revolutionary War figure, Benedict Arnold, who tried to deliver West Point fortress into the hands of the British and sent plans of the stronghold via a spy, who was uncovered, forcing Arnold to flee into exile.  But this is a pretty shabby way for the sole superpower to act (though George Washington himself ordered a kidnap mission to retrieve Arnold that narrowly failed – a first case of attempted extraordinary rendition?).

Snowden is probably correct that he would be subjected to inhumane treatment prior to trial and not receive a fair hearing, were he to return, as can be seen in the case of Bradley Manning.  The USA was similarly punitive in the case of Gary McKinnon and was furious when his extradition was – eventually – denied (the right thing given his medical condition); there was dark talk of withdrawing legal co-operation with Britain (something that had so terrified New Labour), though IRA organisers, who have never stood trial for their activities, are always beyond any treaty signed.  The police stationed outside the Ecuadorean embassy are just for show to our US allies – Julian Assange cannot leave the country as there has been a block placed on him at all national exits, unless he tries to float across the sea on a raft.  Indeed, he could not get 100 yards of this embassy bolthole without being nabbed as he is very recognisable – the difference with Snowden, Manning and McKinnon is that he is under investigation for rape and he is going to Sweden, which, being a traditionally neutral country, may or may not subsequently extradite him to the USA.

This is primarily about deterrence – if one needs to sacrifice a few individuals along the way to emphasise this, then so be it.  The Roman Empire was implacable to any domestic resistance, crushing brutally if necessary.  America is following the same pattern.  Ultimately, Snowen has done a service to Americans and the world, providing an impediment to technocracy replacing democracy (however flawed).  Amusingly, Russia has aid it would consider any embassy car that went to collect him as foreign territory, probably as they really don’t want anything to do with them and are encouraging Ecuador, who has said nothing can be done about granting citizenship unless he is on their territory, to take him away to Quito.  If given, it will be interesting to see Snowden’s itinerary to avoid over-flying Western Europe; the US will be even more keenly interested.