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Ecuador to decide on asylum irrespective of aftermath for ties with US

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino stated that Ecuador is concerned about human rights protection

HANOI, June 24 (Itar-Tass) - The government of Ecuador is not going to tie the issue of granting political asylum to former CIA officer Edward Snowden to possible aftermaths for Ecuador’s relations with the United States, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said in Hanoi on Monday.

“Ecuador intends to act proceeding from its principles. We are concerned about protection of human rights,” the visiting foreign minister said, marking that the decision on asylum to Snowden will be made in line with the principles of ensuring freedom of expression and guarantees of personal safety.

Earlier, the foreign minister officially confirmed that the country had received an asylum request from Edward Snowden. He said the request would be looked into very seriously,