The Guardian is reporting that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed negative views about Edward Snowden in a closed committee meeting in Iceland.
Edward Snowden's digital 'misuse' has created problems, says Ban Ki-moon
The former NSA contractor Edward Snowden misused his right to digital access and has created problems that outweigh the benefits of public disclosure, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said.
Speaking to a gathering of the foreign affairs committee of the Icelandic parliament in Reykjavik on Tuesday, Ban said that in his personal opinion "the Snowden case is something I consider to be misuse." The UN chief added that the opening up of digital communications should not be "misused in such a way as Snowden did".
Ban's remarks, recorded in notes taken by two people present at the meeting and confirmed by a third, provoked expressions of surprise from committee members. His depiction of Snowden as someone who had misused access to information came just hours after the NSA whistleblower made a formal request for asylum to the Icelandic government.
This information is being reported on the basis of notes taken by three people who were present at the meeting. It was not a public statement. It is not clear whether Ban made his remarks spontaneously or in some context. It is certainly likely to this will be seen by some as an effort to influence the decision of the Icelandic government in its decisions about Snowden's application for asylum.