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Confusion over Edward Snowden travel papers Edwards Snowden still stuck in airport
(about 11 hours later)
Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has not been given Russian travel documents, his lawyer has said, contradicting earlier reports.Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has not been given Russian travel documents, his lawyer has said, contradicting earlier reports.
Anatoly Kucherena told reporters his client would remain in the transit zone at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he has been for the past month.Anatoly Kucherena told reporters his client would remain in the transit zone at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he has been for the past month.
Earlier, airport officials said that Mr Kucherena had given Mr Snowden the travel documents.Earlier, airport officials said that Mr Kucherena had given Mr Snowden the travel documents.
The US wants him extradited for leaking details of surveillance programmes.The US wants him extradited for leaking details of surveillance programmes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to hand him to the American authorities, but said he could stay in Russia only if he stopped leaking US secrets.Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to hand him to the American authorities, but said he could stay in Russia only if he stopped leaking US secrets.
Mr Snowden has stayed in the airport's transit area since arriving from Hong Kong on 23 June.
He has requested temporary asylum in Russia, and said recently that his favoured final destination was Latin America.
'Studying Russian culture''Studying Russian culture'
Mr Snowden, whose passport has been cancelled by the US, has stayed in the airport's transit area since arriving from Hong Kong on 23 June.
He has requested temporary asylum in Russia, and said recently his favoured final destination was Latin America.
Mr Kucherena visited his client at the airport on Wednesday and told a news conference later that the 30-year-old would not yet be leaving the airport.Mr Kucherena visited his client at the airport on Wednesday and told a news conference later that the 30-year-old would not yet be leaving the airport.
He said the application for temporary asylum had not been processed, and no travel documents had been received.He said the application for temporary asylum had not been processed, and no travel documents had been received.
"He is not planning to leave for now. He asked for temporary asylum, which in the case of a positive decision is granted for a term of one year," said Mr Kucherena."He is not planning to leave for now. He asked for temporary asylum, which in the case of a positive decision is granted for a term of one year," said Mr Kucherena.
The lawyer said Mr Snowden wanted to study Russian culture, and claimed he had dropped off books including Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. The lawyer said Mr Snowden wanted to study Russian culture, adding that he had given the American books including Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.
Mr Kucherena's account contradicted that of airport officials, who earlier told local media that the lawyer had handed Mr Snowden the documents he needed to leave the airport. Mr Kucherena said Mr Snowden was "anxious" about leaving the airport.
"I hope that this situation will be resolved in the nearest future," he said. "This is the first time Russia is facing such a situation, and this issue of course requires time for the immigration workers."
The lawyer's account contradicted that of airport officials, who earlier told local media that the lawyer had handed Mr Snowden the documents he needed to leave the airport.
Asylum offers
It was unclear whether there had been last-minute political intervention or some other problem.
The Interfax news agency quoted unnamed officials saying the American would be provided with new clothes before leaving the airport.The Interfax news agency quoted unnamed officials saying the American would be provided with new clothes before leaving the airport.
After the lawyer's news conference, the White House said it wanted clarity from Russia on his status.After the lawyer's news conference, the White House said it wanted clarity from Russia on his status.
Spokesman Jay Carney said Washington had already made it clear to Moscow that Mr Snowden should be handed over to face espionage charges.Spokesman Jay Carney said Washington had already made it clear to Moscow that Mr Snowden should be handed over to face espionage charges.
Asylum offers The Snowden affair has caused diplomatic ructions around the world, upsetting America's close allies and traditional enemies.
The Snowden affair has caused diplomatic ructions around the world, upsetting America's close allies and its traditional enemies. Leaks by the former CIA worker have led to revelations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) is collecting Americans' phone records.
Leaks by the former CIA worker have led to revelations that the US National Security Agency (NSA) is collecting Americans' phone records, which civil liberties campaigners say is an unwarranted invasion of privacy. On Wednesday evening, an attempt to block funding for the programme narrowly failed in a 205-217 vote in the US House of Representatives.
The White House is urging Congress to reject an attempt to end the practice. The White House had lobbied Congress to support the surveillance.
Congressman Justin Amash has introduced an amendment to a defence spending bill that would block funding for the controversial programme. A vote is due shortly. Opponents of the US, including Bolivia, Venezuela and Nicaragua, have all offered Mr Snowden asylum.
Other revelations stemming from the leaked documents include allegations that US intelligence agencies have been spying on Latin American politicians and businesses, diplomatic missions, EU offices and officials from close allies including Germany.
Opponents of the US, including Bolivia, Venezuela and Nicaragua, have all offered him asylum.
He has said he first needs Russian asylum in order to be able to travel, because the US has cancelled his passport.
In one of the most bizarre episodes of the saga, the jet of Bolivian President Evo Morales was last month diverted to Austria as it flew from Moscow to La Paz.
The Bolivians accused France, Spain, Portugal and Italy of denying the plane permission to fly over their territory because the US believed Mr Snowden was on board.
After weeks of complaining about his treatment, Mr Morales said on Wednesday he had accepted apologies from the four European countries.