I have no idea why RMS is choosing to pick sides in this at all. That has nothing to do with the Free Software movement and a little bit to do with censorship. If someone doesn't want to pay for the trip now, that's their business but RMS is allowing himself to be held hostage. Cancel both trips or find alternative funding.

      It's free as in FREEDOM, not free as in do as (the metaphorical I) say. Allowing the Free Software movement to be a pawn in any of this is not in the interests of the movement.

      There really seems to be something in the water in that region that makes people crazy. It might not be a bad thing to not send Stallman, regardless. He might play his recorder at them and start an incident.