Hagel Calls on Russia to Hand Snowden Over to U.S.

You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Hagel Calls on Russia to Hand Snowden Over to U.S. 06/26/2013 05:05 PM CDT Hagel Calls on Russia to Hand Snowden Over to U.S. By Nick Simeone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 26, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today called on Russia to hand over Edward Snowden to the United States. Hagel said he believes that Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor and now fugitive who has admitted to revealing highly classified U.S. government surveillance programs, is probably still at a Moscow airport. "I would hope that the Russians do the right thing here and turn Snowden over to the United States," Hagel told reporters during a Pentagon news conference, adding that he did not know if Moscow has made a final decision on what to do with the man now charged with espionage. Hagel called the Snowden affair a negative in U.S.-Russian relations but nevertheless one that both nations must work through. Hagel, along with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that Snowden's decision to reveal details about the NSA's gathering of phone records of millions of Americans as well as a separate classified program that involved eavesdropping on Internet activity by foreigners overseas did uncalculated damage to U.S national security. "We are assessing that now. But make no mistake. This violation of our laws was a serious security breach," Hagel said. He added that he was in the Senate when the laws approving the programs were passed. "They are legal," Hagel said of those laws, "and they do protect the United States." Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, has told Congress the classified surveillance programs have prevented more than 50 terrorist plots since the 9/11 attacks. Snowden has not been seen in public since arriving in Russia June 23 from Hong Kong, where, despite a U.S. request that he be detained there, was allowed to board a flight to Moscow. "We're very disappointed in the Chinese government in how they've handled this," Hagel said, adding that both countries could have chosen to cooperate. "And this was an occasion, I think, where we had an opportunity to do that," Hagel added. "But that was the decision of the Chinese government." Even so, Hagel said, he did not foresee a disruption in Sino-U.S. military relations. While steps are always being taken to evaluate insider threats and to counter them through upgraded systems and improved technologies, Hagel said, in the end, little can be done if someone with a top-secret security clearance is willing to break the law. "I don't know how you can ever completely 100-percent guard against someone who wants to break the law and violate the statutes and the interests of our nation," Hagel said.   Biographies: Chuck Hagel Related Articles: NSA Chief: Surveillance Stopped More than 50 Terror Plots   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense