Snowden’s father pleased with Moscow life, says “more to be shared”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Edward Snowden's father expressed satisfaction Wednesday, October 16 with the way his son, the former National Security Agency contractor, has been treated since being granted asylum in August, according to CNN.

Lon Snowden spoke to reporters at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport as he prepared to return to the United States after a six-day visit, his first reunion with his son since April.

"I felt that this is the best place for him, this is the place where he doesn't have to worry about people rushing across the border to render him," Lon Snowden said. "It's not going to happen here."

It may not be his last visit, since his son -- charged in the United States for revealing a massive government surveillance campaign -- may wind up remaining in Russia for years. "My feeling is that, unless the attitude within our government changes dramatically -- and that at a minimum is going to require a change of administration and that's going to be in several years -- that Russia is the place for him to be at the current time."

Though Russia granted Edward Snowden a one-year asylum, "that could easily be extended," said his father, who described Moscow as modern and sophisticated. "I could be comfortable living the rest of my life here; I'm certain that he could."

The elder Snowden, who arrived October 10 in Moscow, said the two visited several times. "He is comfortable, he is independent, he is happy -- which is important to me -- and he is absolutely committed to the decision that he made."

Lon Snowden said his son told him he had had no contact with Russian security or intelligence. According to Reuters, the younger Snowden's revelations about the reach and methods of the NSA, including the monitoring of vast volumes of Internet traffic and phone records, have upset U.S. allies from Germany to Brazil. Admirers call him a human rights champion and critics denounce him as a traitor.

"There's much more to be shared," Lon Snowden said.

Staying in Russia, Snowden said, allows his son "to continue to push these issues forward, to make sure the true story is told."

"He's not a fugitive. He's a legal asylee of the Russian Federation and the press needs to get that right and I think our government understands that at this point."