Ecuador to US on Snowden: Write to us
In this handout photo provided by The Guardian, Edward Snowden speaks during an interview in Hong Kong. Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA, revealed details of top-secret surveillance conducted by the United States’ National Security Agency regarding telecom data.
When it comes to Edward Snowden, the US government contractor-turned-whistleblower on the run from the United States, Ecuador wants it in writing.
The South American nation on Wednesday instructed America to "submit its position" on Snowden in writing, according to Reuters, citing the embassy statement as saying:
"The legal basis for each individual case must be rigorously established, in accordance with our national Constitution and the applicable national and international legal framework. This legal process takes human rights obligations into consideration as well."
Twenty-nine-year-old Snowden, who is believed to be somewhere in Russia, has submitted an request for asylum in Ecuador and is waiting for a decision.
Ecuador's Ambassador Efrain Baus, deputy chief of mission, on Wednesday said Snowden's "request will be reviewed responsibly, as are the many other asylum applications that Ecuador receives each year," according to CNN.
Snowden has admitted to provided classified US government material to the The Washington Post and Britain's The Guardian.
Also Wednesday, Ecuador, presumably responding to recent US State Department criticism of a new media law there, also said it "strongly rejects recent statements made by United States government officials containing detrimental, untrue, and unproductive claims about Ecuador," CNN said.
Ecuador has also offered Wikileaks founder Julian Assange refuge.