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Edward Snowden to give evidence to EU parliament, says MEP Edward Snowden to give evidence to EU parliament, says MEP
(about 2 hours later)
The European parliament is lining up Edward Snowden to give evidence by video link later this month, in spite of resistance by British Conservatives, a Green MEP has announced. The European parliament is lining up Edward Snowden to give evidence by video link this month, in spite of resistance by British Conservatives, a Green MEP has announced.
German Green Jan Philipp Albrecht said MEPs wanted Snowden to appear before the assembly's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE). Jan Philipp Albrecht, a German Green MEP, said parliamentarians wanted Snowden to appear before the assembly's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE).
Albrecht said it would represent a "great success" for the parliament's investigation into mass surveillance of EU citizens. "Half a year after the first publications from his collection of numerous NSA documents, the truth of which has not so far been refuted, there are still consequences as far as political responsibility is concerned," he said. Albrecht said it would represent a great success for the parliament's investigation into mass surveillance of EU citizens.
"The basic political will is there," he said on Sunday "Now we will need to see if we can get a formal majority for a hearing and hope that Snowden can keep his promise to answer question on the affair." He said: "Half a year after the first publications from his collection of numerous NSA documents, the truth of which has not so far been refuted, there are still consequences as far as political responsibility is concerned.
The LIBE committee would most likely want to seek questions on what role other European information services have played in gathering data for the NSA, as well as whether servers and data networks in the EU were used as part of the process. The basic political will is there. Now we will need to see if we can get a formal majority for a hearing and hope Snowden can keep his promise to answer questions on the affair."
Albrecht claims Snowden had expressed an initial interest via his lawyers in July, and that recent communications had firmed that up. In October, Green party MEP Christian Ströbele travelled to Moscow to meet Snowden in person. The LIBE committee would most likely want questions on what role other European information services played in data gathering for the NSA, and whether servers and data networks in the EU were used as part of the process.
Sources within the European parliament considered it likely that committee members would vote in favour of a Snowden hearing, with the only vocal opposition represented by British Conservative MEPs. Since the Tories are no longer part of the European People's party alliance of centre-right parties, however, one MEP described their reluctance as "not crucial". Albrecht claims Snowden had expressed interest via his lawyers in July, and that recent communications had firmed that up. In October, the Green party MEP Christian Ströbele went to Moscow to meet Snowden.
Since a real-time video testimony could allow Snowden's location to be pinpointed, the committee would send questions to the US whistleblower and then play back pre-recorded answers in front of the parliament. European parliament sources considered it likely committee members would vote in favour of a Snowden hearing, with the only vocal opposition from British Tory MEPs.
On Thursday, the Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope sent a letter to all members of the committee protesting against the invitation to Snowden, calling it "a provocative act that would enable [Snowden] to further endanger security around Europe and beyond".
Kirkhope described the whistleblower as "possibly a criminal, and, in the eyes of many, a traitor who had through acts of utter recklessness and thoughtlessness, put the lives of millions of people in danger".
Sarah Ludford, the Lib Dem MEP, said it was important that the parliament committee asked the right questions of Snowden. "I want to know if any whistleblowing channels were open to him that he did not use, whether he had any other motivation than the public interest, and what his relationship is with the Chinese and Russian secret services."
Since the Tories are no longer part of the European People's party alliance of centre-right parties, however, one MEP called their reluctance "not crucial".
A real-time video testimony could pinpoint Snowden's location so the committee would send questions to him then play back recorded answers for parliament.
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