Edward Snowden should not simply be regarded as a person who exposed wrongdoing, but the “storm” he caused should be taken into account, said FBI director James Comey, who opposes the reform of American surveillance programs that are underway.
The FBI chief rejected recent calls for showing leniency towards the former technical advisor of the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States, Edward Snowden, who disclosed the scope as well as many aspects of the NSA's communications surveillance programs.
“I find it hard to understand how the label of hero, a purveyor of recklessness, can be applied to (someone who reveals) information of this kind”, said James Comey speaking to selected journalists.
“The people who report misconduct are very important. However, when I look at this program, I see the government acting according to what the fathers of the nation wanted. . . and I find it difficult to render the term of the misconduct terminator to someone who does not agree with the way our government is structured and operates.”
On Thursday American lawmakers said that Snowden's actions could have “lethal consequences” and “put American soldiers at risk”.
“A criminal proceeding is underway, charges weigh on Snowden”, noted the director of the federal police, who refused to comment on a decision of a European Parliament committee to allow the hearing of Edward Snowden, who has taken refuge in Russia.
Mike Rogers, a member of the US Congress, warned that a hearing of Snowden would have “negative consequences” on US-European relations.
Parallelly, Komei insisted on the “disappointment he felt for the storm that struck all public life in the US regarding the issue of the power of intelligence services”.
Koméï was accepted on Wednesday at the White House as part of meetings with intelligence service officials. He took advantage of this meeting to express his disagreement with the reform proposals from a group of experts appointed by President Obama. He also noted that the report released on December 18 does not mention “the most important: that the intelligence community works while obeying the law”.
“If we see someone writing on the Internet something that appears dangerous to us, in order to find that person (. . .) we must quickly obtain a letter from the national security service. One of my concerns in the experts committee's proposal is that it will cause a delay”.
Among other recommendations for reforms, there is a call for better cooperation with the United States' closest allies in the field of espionage. The revelation about the wiretaps of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone caused a diplomatic storm not only in Germany, but also in France, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. In this direction, the FBI chief pledged “help” and “cooperation” of the American security forces at the winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Twelve American agents are already there.
Source: newsit.gr
