Updated: US ambassador to Russia disputes claim sent message to Snowden

[ProSense]

3. Not as "amusing"

as Snowden trying to trick the Russians into granting him asylum: Grant it and I'll stop leaking, but let me leave after that so I can go on leaking.

Russia says Snowden could stay if he stops harming US

Edward Snowden could stay in Russia if he stops issuing leaks that damage the United States, the Kremlin said Friday after the US fugitive told rights activists in a Moscow airport that he is seeking asylum in Russia.

"Mr. Snowden could hypothetically stay in Russia if he: first, completely stops the activities harming our American partners and US-Russian relations and second, if he asks for this himself," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments quoted by Russian news agencies.

According to lawyer Genri Reznik who was present at a meeting at Moscow airport with Snowden and spoke to reporters afterwards, the fugitive "promised that he would not act to harm the United States".

A picture released by The Guardian shows American intelligence leaker Edward Snowden on June 6, 2013. Snowden could stay in Russia if he stops issuing leaks that damage the United States, the Kremlin said after the US fugitive told rights activists in a Moscow airport that he is seeking asylum in Russia.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/us-very-disappointed-china-snowden-034539367.html

Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch is being interviewed on Russia TV.

She said Snowden had said he wanted the US to succeed.

Would he stop his activities? There was nothing to stop, because he felt he was not harming the US, she said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/edward-snowden-to-meet-amnesty-and-human-rights-watch-at-moscow-airport-live-coverag#block-51e00a1ee4b0d557cc00096a

"Big news is that #Snowden is applying for political asylum in Russia" (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023231657