Ecuador 'an example to the world': Snowden

LONDON

Fugitive intelligence analyst Edward Snowden has written to Ecuador's President Rafael Correa thanking him for his support in his bid to avoid extradition to the US, in a letter publicised on Monday.

"There are few world leaders who would risk standing for the human rights of an individual against the most powerful government on earth, and the bravery of Ecuador and its people is an example to the world," he wrote in the letter, obtained by Britain's Press Association.

Insisting that he had full public support, he accused the United States of conducting "an extrajudicial man-hunt costing me my family, my freedom to travel and my right to live peacefully without fear of illegal aggression."

Snowden, whose passport has been revoked by the US, singled out Fidel Narvaez, the Ecuadorian consul in London, for praise.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange revealed last week that it had been Narvaez who issued Snowden with a refugee travel document, which had allowed him to flee Hong Kong eight days ago as Washington pressed for his extradition.

"I could never have risked travel without that," wrote Snowden in the letter, which was written in Spanish.

"Now, as a result, and through the continued support of your government, I remain free and able to publish information that serves the public interest."

Correa said on Saturday that the London consul had made a decision beyond his rank by issuing the paper.

Snowden has been holed up and in legal limbo in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for more than a week trying to find a safe haven.

The US wants him extradited to he can be tried for the leak of information detailing a vast US Internet and phone surveillance programme.

Snowden, in his letter to Correa, denounced the US programme as a grave violation of human rights.

"This global system affects every human life touched by technology; recording, analysing, and passing secret judgment over each member of the international public."

As well as seeking asylum in Ecuador, Snowden has also applied for asylum in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was welcome to stay as long as he stopped leaking US intelligence reports.

In his letter to Correa, Snowden declared: "No matter how many more days my life contains, I remain dedicated to the fight for justice in this unequal world...

"Please accept my gratitude on behalf of your government and the people of the Republic of Ecuador, as well as my great personal admiration of your commitment to doing what is right rather than what is rewarding."