Snowden thread

[Velasco]

Finally, the Spain's government opened the air space:

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/03/us-usa-security-snowden-idUSBRE9610C520130703

The plane landed at Gran Canaria airport, to be precise.

Personally, I think this is a bit shameful. On one hand, US government and CIA treat European allies like enemies (I think Merkel or someone stated something similar), on the other hand European governments act like fearful vassals. It's just a personal opinion, but I think it might be a good thing (and even convenient) for Europe showing some independence, since we are living in a multi-polar world and not in the Cold War.   

[Velasco]

True, but considering that national elections are coming up the government probably wanted to go 100% sure and still check the plane for Snowden after Morales offered the voluntary check.

If we didn't check the plane and in the event that Snowden was really in the plane on the way to Bolivia, we would then have the blame on us: "Why didn't those Austrians look into the plane ?", or if Snowden went out of the plane at the airport we would now be drawn into a complicated international situation, just 3 months before the election.

Because that'd mean grounding and inspecting a plane of a foreign president based on nothing? Austria would be 'drawn in to a complicated international situation' by letting a foreign president go about his international travel without presuming he's smuggling someone back, who isn't even wanted in the country in question?

Registering a presidential plane goes against all the agreements and the rules of the international diplomacy. I doubt that Snowden's issue has enough importance as to justify the intolerable and unprecedented treatment granted to Evo Morales. On the other hand, the US government has washed his hands with regard to the closing of air spaces, stating that it's an unilateral measure. All Latin-American chancelleries reacted with anger in solidarity with Morales and the rest of the world is aware of Europe's subordination. Even Chirac showed more dignity in the past than Hollande yesterday. It doesn't compensate going so far to keep the American friend satisfied and it will be a loss of prestige for Europe.