New Delhi:
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday it was "disappointing" that intelligence leaker Edward Snowden had been able to fly from Hong Kong to Russia, warning of consequences for ties with Moscow and Beijing.
"It would be obviously disappointing if he was wilfully allowed to board an airplane," Kerry said at a press conference in New Delhi when asked about the role of China in Snowden's flight from Hong Kong on Sunday.
"As a result there would be without any question some effect and impact on the relationship and consequences."
Questioned about Russia's role in Snowden's flight, Kerry said: "I would urge them (Russia) to live by the standards of the law because that's in the interests of everybody.
"In the last two years we have transferred seven prisoners to Russia that they wanted so I think reciprocity and the enforcement of the law is pretty important."
Kerry also defended the decision to seek Snowden's arrest, saying he had betrayed his country.
"Evidently he places himself above the law having betrayed his country with respect of the violation of his oath and I think there are very serious implications in that."
"It would be obviously disappointing if he was wilfully allowed to board an airplane," Kerry said at a press conference in New Delhi when asked about the role of China in Snowden's flight from Hong Kong on Sunday.
"As a result there would be without any question some effect and impact on the relationship and consequences."
Questioned about Russia's role in Snowden's flight, Kerry said: "I would urge them (Russia) to live by the standards of the law because that's in the interests of everybody.
"In the last two years we have transferred seven prisoners to Russia that they wanted so I think reciprocity and the enforcement of the law is pretty important."
Kerry also defended the decision to seek Snowden's arrest, saying he had betrayed his country.
"Evidently he places himself above the law having betrayed his country with respect of the violation of his oath and I think there are very serious implications in that."
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