"Colonial times are over." Ecuador grants Assange asylum

[GreecePwns]

It was clear that Ecuador was siding with Assange in this case, but it was British arrogance and disrespect for international laws (more, clear willingness to toss them out and ignore them) which set the Ecuadorean Foreign Minister off.

Full article here.

Updated at 8:52 a.m. ET: LONDON -- Ecuador granted asylum to Julian Assange on Thursday, expressing fury at a threat by Britain to seize the WikiLeaks founder at its London embassy.

Ricardo Patino, the Ecuadorean foreign minister, told a news conference in Quito it was upholding international law by granting asylum to Assange.

Britain earlier said it would it would revoke the diplomatic status of Quito's embassy in west London -- where Assange has been holed up since June 19 -- in order to seize Assange irrespective of the asylum decision.

---------

Patino expressed fury at Britain’s earlier threat to arrest Assange, saying it was a direct threat to the Ecuador’s sovereignty.

The former Australian hacker, who incensed American government officials by publishing thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables and Iraq and Afghan war dispatches in 2010, sought refuge in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over assault and rape claims, which he denies. He exhausted all appeals after a 17-month legal battle.

"Judicial evidence clearly demonstrates that given an extradition to the United States of America, Mr. Assange would not have a fair trial, he could be judged by special or military courts, and it is not unlikely to believe he would be treated in a cruel and degrading way, that he would receive a life sentence or death penalty, with which his human rights would not be respected," Patino said.

...

"We want to be very clear, we're not a British colony. The colonial times are over," Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said in an angry statement after a meeting with President Rafael Correa.

[AndyDufresne]

So much hullabaloo. I think I'll go back to reading about the Mars Rover, though.


--Andy

[thegreekdog]

So much hullabaloo. I think I'll go back to reading about the Mars Rover, though.


--Andy

You should know us well enough by now to understand that we will absolutely be able to politicize the Mars rover.

[natty dread]

So much hullabaloo. I think I'll go back to reading about the Mars Rover, though.


--Andy

You should know us well enough by now to understand that we will absolutely be able to politicize the Mars rover.

[Army of GOD]

Assange is going to be put to death if the Brits get him, right?

I think it'd be better for society if he becomes a martyr, actually. Not to mention that there's an impending international incident because of him.

[BigBallinStalin]

I think it'd be better for society if he becomes a martyr, actually. Not to mention that there's an impending international incident because of him.

I heard the same for Obama bin Laden.

[MeDeFe]

If British officials had just managed to shut up for another 24 hours, Assange might not even have been granted asylum. Everything could have been taken care of nicely and quietly in backroom deals, as is usually done, but by threatening to go in and get him from the embassy they pretty much forced the result.
Even now, after having been granted asylum, he's stuck in that embassy for the foreseeable future. If he leaves it openly he can be arrested. So why not simply be quiet and wait? And maybe then say that you're disappointed with the result and will do everything legally possible to apprehend the suspect. Threatening to violate international law over what is (yet) a simple criminal investigation into alleged rape before anything is decided is takes idiocy to entirely new levels.

It's not that I don't like it when people from the side I perceive to be slightly more in the wrong behave like idiots, but seeing this much stupidity hurts.

[heavycola]

So much hullabaloo. I think I'll go back to reading about the Mars Rover, though.


--Andy

You should know us well enough by now to understand that we will absolutely be able to politicize the Mars rover.

The American Empire's latest flag-planting exercise. You planet-raping bastards! The solar system is for everyone! MARTIANS HAVE RIGHTS TOO.

[saxitoxin]

József Mindszenty, a conservative millionaire wanted by Hungarian police for inciting violence, lived in the U.S. Embassy Budapest for a decade in the 60s. All that time UK tut-tutted and finger-wagged at the People's Republic of Hungary for not permitting him to exit the country. Once again, the UK pirate kingdom is global hypocrite number one.

This isn't the 1860s. It's past time Britishers learned they don't have the capability to treat Latin America poorly without reaping the consequences.

[Dibbun]

I have no problem with Julian Assange being granted asylum. Why should he be extradited to the US? On the other hand, Bradley Manning should be executed by firing squad for treason.

[saxitoxin]

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States will meet to discuss appropriate responses to impose on the UK ...

From Mexico City International Law professor Julio Sau anticipated “the conflict will most probably become multilateral and highly politicized too”. “Politically it is a good opportunity for Unasur. UK already has a major conflict with Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, and it will be very interesting to see what happens because Unasur resolutions are by consensus” underlined Professor Sau.

http://english.cri.cn/6966/2012/08/16/3141s717551.htm

[GreecePwns]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

[BigBallinStalin]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

Technically, such an act would impinge upon Ecuador's sovereignty, and it could be construed as "an act of war," but I don't think the Ecuadoreans have it in them to invade the UK. If they don't, and the threat of an invasion is the only factor, then it wouldn't matter if the UK stormed the embassy.


Of course, the Ecuadoreans have international law on their side, and they have the lead role in this slowly unfolding World Drama, and I'd guess that these two factors prevent the UK from acting rashly--especially since they don't have much to gain from this since it's really the US' job.

Maybe the US could suggest that the US might be reluctant to provide future sales of nuclear weapons to the UK....


It's difficult to say if you're not in the right circles.

[saxitoxin]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

Technically, such an act would impinge upon Ecuador's sovereignty, and it could be construed as "an act of war," but I don't think the Ecuadoreans have it in them to invade the UK. If they don't, and the threat of an invasion is the only factor, then it wouldn't matter if the UK stormed the embassy.


Of course, the Ecuadoreans have international law on their side, and they have the lead role in this slowly unfolding World Drama, and I'd guess that these two factors prevent the UK from acting rashly--especially since they don't have much to gain from this since it's really the US' job.

Maybe the US could suggest that the US might be reluctant to provide future sales of nuclear weapons to the UK....


It's difficult to say if you're not in the right circles.

If Britain attacks Ecuador's embassy I can't imagine what would stop Argentina from immediately leveling the Mt. Pleasant air base. I'm sure in such a situation other Latin American nations would contribute war materiale. I think any international outrage would be muted and perfunctory at best since Argentina, being in a defense pact with Ecuador, would - I imagine - have Right of Reprisal.

In the big scheme of things, it would be probably be best if Britain attacked the Ecuadorian embassy.

[Gillipig]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

Technically, such an act would impinge upon Ecuador's sovereignty, and it could be construed as "an act of war," but I don't think the Ecuadoreans have it in them to invade the UK. If they don't, and the threat of an invasion is the only factor, then it wouldn't matter if the UK stormed the embassy.


Of course, the Ecuadoreans have international law on their side, and they have the lead role in this slowly unfolding World Drama, and I'd guess that these two factors prevent the UK from acting rashly--especially since they don't have much to gain from this since it's really the US' job.

Maybe the US could suggest that the US might be reluctant to provide future sales of nuclear weapons to the UK....


It's difficult to say if you're not in the right circles.

If Britain attacks Ecuador's embassy I can't imagine what would stop Argentina from immediately leveling the Mt. Pleasant air base. I'm sure in such a situation other Latin American nations would contribute war materiale to delay pirate reinforcements from making it to Malvinas before every last squatter had been thrown into the South Atlantic. I think any international outrage would be muted and perfunctory at best since Argentina, being in a defense pact with Ecuador, would have casus belli.

In the big scheme of things, it would be probably be best if Britain attacked the Ecuadorian embassy.

You want a war don't you? I can see it in your eyes. The lust for bloodshed, murder of innocents and all that shit. You want it. No, no...you crave it!! I see it in your eyes.

......Oops I was looking into someone elses eyes .


Hi Andy

[saxitoxin]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

Technically, such an act would impinge upon Ecuador's sovereignty, and it could be construed as "an act of war," but I don't think the Ecuadoreans have it in them to invade the UK. If they don't, and the threat of an invasion is the only factor, then it wouldn't matter if the UK stormed the embassy.


Of course, the Ecuadoreans have international law on their side, and they have the lead role in this slowly unfolding World Drama, and I'd guess that these two factors prevent the UK from acting rashly--especially since they don't have much to gain from this since it's really the US' job.

Maybe the US could suggest that the US might be reluctant to provide future sales of nuclear weapons to the UK....


It's difficult to say if you're not in the right circles.

If Britain attacks Ecuador's embassy I can't imagine what would stop Argentina from immediately leveling the Mt. Pleasant air base. I'm sure in such a situation other Latin American nations would contribute war materiale to delay pirate reinforcements from making it to Malvinas before every last squatter had been thrown into the South Atlantic. I think any international outrage would be muted and perfunctory at best since Argentina, being in a defense pact with Ecuador, would have casus belli.

In the big scheme of things, it would be probably be best if Britain attacked the Ecuadorian embassy.

You want a war don't you? I can see it in your eyes. The lust for bloodshed, murder of innocents and all that shit. You want it. No, no...you crave it!! I see it in your eyes.

......Oops I was looking into someone elses eyes.

Hi Andy

Your jocularity aside, an Argentine attack on Malvinas following a British raid on the Ecuadorian embassy would - I think - be a police action and not a war. And certainly I support police forces responding to crimes. Attacking Malvinas in such circumstances would essentially be no different than a police department raiding a meth lab. (And, frankly, based on photos of the kelpers, it's hard to imagine most of them aren't burn-outs anyway.)

[Army of GOD]

who would help Ecuador if it's perceived as an act of war? I'm guessing the US would back the UK, but what other countries in the UN, OAS, etc. would side with Ecuador?

[Gillipig]

If Britain violently storms the Ecuadorean embassy (which by international law is considered Ecuadorean territory), is it an act of war?

Not that I think they really would, I just think they're sticking their face in a couple inches further up America's ass.

Technically, such an act would impinge upon Ecuador's sovereignty, and it could be construed as "an act of war," but I don't think the Ecuadoreans have it in them to invade the UK. If they don't, and the threat of an invasion is the only factor, then it wouldn't matter if the UK stormed the embassy.


Of course, the Ecuadoreans have international law on their side, and they have the lead role in this slowly unfolding World Drama, and I'd guess that these two factors prevent the UK from acting rashly--especially since they don't have much to gain from this since it's really the US' job.

Maybe the US could suggest that the US might be reluctant to provide future sales of nuclear weapons to the UK....


It's difficult to say if you're not in the right circles.

If Britain attacks Ecuador's embassy I can't imagine what would stop Argentina from immediately leveling the Mt. Pleasant air base. I'm sure in such a situation other Latin American nations would contribute war materiale to delay pirate reinforcements from making it to Malvinas before every last squatter had been thrown into the South Atlantic. I think any international outrage would be muted and perfunctory at best since Argentina, being in a defense pact with Ecuador, would have casus belli.

In the big scheme of things, it would be probably be best if Britain attacked the Ecuadorian embassy.

You want a war don't you? I can see it in your eyes. The lust for bloodshed, murder of innocents and all that shit. You want it. No, no...you crave it!! I see it in your eyes.

......Oops I was looking into someone elses eyes.

Hi Andy

Your jocularity aside, an Argentine attack on Malvinas following a British raid on the Ecuadorian embassy would - I think - be a police action and not a war. And certainly I support police forces responding to crimes. Attacking Malvinas in such circumstances would essentially be no different than a police department raiding a meth lab. (And, frankly, based on photos of the kelpers, it's hard to imagine most of them aren't burn-outs anyway.)

Don't you recognize a ....

post when you see one?


On topic?:
I'm fairly sure the British wouldn't agree with your sentiment . They would view it as an act of war! Hh...Hom...HOME...Homebl...HOMEBLIND!

[natty dread]

Every country in the world should just stop extraditing to the US.

[Gillipig]

Every country in the world should just stop extraditing to the US.

And free candy for everyone!!

[saxitoxin]

I'm fairly sure the British wouldn't agree with your sentiment . They would view it as an act of war!

The UK could mail diplomatic protests all about town but not much else. In the immortal words of the late U.S. Air Force Gen. Scratchley Brown - "They're no longer a world power. All they've got are admirals and bands."

[Gillipig]

I'm fairly sure the British wouldn't agree with your sentiment . They would view it as an act of war!

The UK could mail diplomatic protests all about town but not much else. In the immortal words of the late U.S. Air Force Gen. Scratchley Brown - "They're no longer a world power. All they've got are admirals and bands."

Scratchy Brown must've been a boring guy! Otherwise he'd know they still have the best comedians.

[Dibbun]

As an American, I support our British allies and hope they can resolve this issue in the interest of law and order.

As a person of Irish descent, I hope South America bombs them back to the stone age.

[thegreekdog]

As an American, I support our British allies and hope they can resolve this issue in the interest of law and order.

As a person of Irish descent, I hope South America bombs them back to the stone age.

As an American, I hope we bomb Ecuador in support of our British allies and to support our failing military industrial complex.

As a person of Greek descent, I hope we spend a lot of money to do it, stop enforcing our tax laws, and declare bankruptcy.

[AndyDufresne]

As a monkey, I wish you'd all stop poking and prodding us for medical advancements related to humans. Hm, forum game.

Anyways, back on topic-ish. Hm, does Ecuador pay his internet and food bills? Or is he like a tenant? I always wondered about high profile asylums like this.


--Andy