Feinstein: China ‘clearly had a role’ in Snowden’s departure from Hong Kong
The Washington Post, 23 June 2013
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Sunday that she believes China played a role in allowing Edward Snowden to leave Hong Kong, wasting what she called an opportunity to “improve relations” with the United States.
“China clearly had a role in this, in my view. I don’t think this was just Hong Kong without Chinese acquiescence,” Feinstein said on CBS’s “Face The Nation.”
Snowden, the man who revealed information about the U.S.’s sweeping surveillance efforts, reportedly traveled from Hong Kong to Moscow on Sunday. His final destination is unknown, though reports suggested he is headed to Venezuela by way of Cuba.
“I had actually thought that China would see this as an opportunity to improve relations and — extradite him to the United States,” Feinstein said. She added that Moscow now faces scrutiny over what they decide to do with Snowden.
“I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Moscow does with him,” Feinstein said.
Feinstein said Snowden should have stayed in the United States and faced consequences for his actions.
“I don’t think this man is a whistleblower,” Feinstein. “Whatever his motives are, and I take him at face value, he could’ve stayed and faced the music. I don’t think running is a noble thought.”