Obama: US Following Legal Channels To Expel Edward Snowden To U.S.

By LARA JAKES AND JIM KUHNHENN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the United States is following legal channels on how to bring National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden back to the U.S. He says the administration is working with other countries to make sure "the rule of law is observed."

Obama made his remark at the White House.

He was asked by a reporter if he had discussed Snowden's situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Obama did not respond directly to that question.

Earlier, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the United States assumes Snowden is in Russia, where he fled after leaving Hong Kong. Carney said Snowden's departure from Hong Kong after the United States requested his extradition damaged U.S.-China relations.