http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/08....

Wouldn't that be an act of war if they carry out that threat?

Yes; it would in fact be an invasion of Ecuador.

UK... as always, run by psychopaths...

The UK empire is not dead enough to my taste. It should be shot a few more times in the head, then nuked from orbit, just to be sure.

Because of that threat, Ecuador should accept Assange's request and tell Cameron to suck it.

I thought it did, but I wonder what the backtracking is about.

I've seen twitter reports and this post on Reddit that indicate that the UK has in fact entered Equador's Embassy to get Assange. Not good.

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/commen....

The British are Acting as American proxies in this matter, as are the Swedes.

he should be scared. the US is going to try to execute him.

the question will be - assuming he gets asylum, how the **** does he get out of the embassy to Ecuador? the brits are going to surround that embassy for a very long time waiting for him. short of using a sky hook or a helicopter....how does he disappear?

Here is a live blog covering the event:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/aug....


Assuming he is granted asylum (decision due any minute now), then things could get real interesting. Ecuador's best option might be to send a diplomatic team perhaps including some dignitaries from other countries (Russia?) to extract Assange by helicopter.

Of course the UK still holds the cards. They can storm the embassy if they want, or simply wait for the diplomats to come out with Assange and arrest them all. Or shoot down the helicopter, or not allow any entry in their airspace. That would be a blatant violation of diplomatic conventions and International law, but what do they care?

We've already established that we're dealing with lawless thugs.

At this point Correa has to grant Assange asylum now that the UK has provoked the wrath of the people and shown no respect for his country. Did China storm the US embassy when a dissident holed up there a few months ago?

Let them storm the embassy, violate the Vienna convention and show their contempt for the law for all the world to see.

PS - it's spelled "Ecuador" not Equador.

that's a good blog zappa.

wow, this has turned into quite an interesting story. the ecuadorian consulate looks like a pretty small pad....I don't think there is enough room on hte property to land an OH6.

while i am not a fan of Assange, i have to admit i am surprised that the Brits are trying to put the full court press on Ecuador. Yes, they have certainly*****ed off some people in Latin America with this and have probably lost some more trust. Whoever wrote that letter needs to back to poly sci school - the Argentinians are going to love this.

i wonder if the diplomatic corps in Ecuador is packing heat? Assuming the Brits storm the consulate what happens? do they just turn into doormats or do they call the bluff. For those old enough to remember, here is Ken Wahl in the soldier doing an Embassy Run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICohwwIm....

here's some interesting history....i was not aware of this Embassy incident in 1984. Ok, so some nut job from the Libyan embassy shots a British police officer (outside the gates) and the Brits let them catch a flight home, no problem.

So that means all of this fuss the Brits are making over Assange really is about a bareback sexual encounter, right? (note sarc)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Y....

Statement by the foreign minister in Quito

Quote:

13:19 BST

Patiño has reiterated Ecuadorean fury over what it sees as a "threat" issued by Britain yesterday. The document delivered by British embassy officials was a "threat", and Ecuador cannot believe that the UK has been "honest" about its position, he said. Such a move would be totally unjustified under international law, he added.

13:22 BST

Patiño says Ecuador has given "extreme and careful consideration" to Assange's political asylum request.


13:38 BST
Asylum is granted

Ecuador is to grant political asylum to Julian Assange, says Patino.


13:41 BST

Patino adds:

We can state that there is a risk that he will be persecuted politically...

We trust the UK will offer the necessary guarantees so that both governments can act adequately and properly respect international rights and the right of asylum.

We also trust the excellent relationship the two countries have will continue.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/aug....

Quote:

Britain will carry out its "binding obligation" to extradite Assange to Sweden in spite of Ecuador's decision, a spokesperson for the FCO has said.

We are disappointed by the statement from Ecuador’s Foreign Minister that Ecuador has offered political asylum to Julian Assange.

Under our law, with Mr Assange having exhausted all options of appeal, the British authorities are under a binding obligation to extradite him to Sweden. We shall carry out that obligation. The Ecuadorian Government's decision this afternoon does not change that.

We remain committed to a negotiated solution that allows us to carry out our obligations under the Extradition Act.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/aug....

Did WWIII just start?

Seems like it. Ecuador is going to have to try some sneaky maneuvers to get him out of the UK. I would think the UK would be watching the embassy like a hawk.

Would Britain really declare war just to get Assange? God the stupidity around the world is ****ing amazing these days...

After Standard Chartered I would have thought the Brits wouldn't give a toss, or even turn a blind eye.

Arbitrarily removing diplomatic status of an embassy and raiding it would set a terrible precedent... like.. really really terrible.

tweet @SkyNewsBreak

Quote:

AFP: Sweden has summoned Eecuador's Ambassador & called the Assange asylum decision 'unacceptable'

I wonder if this is why it took Ecuador this long to decide on whether or not to grant asylum. Where they being threatened with 'consequences'?

That's akin to my 8 year old laying on the floor screaming, banging his fists and kicking his feet in a temper tantrum.

Quote:

Sir Tony Brenton, who served as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Russia between 2004 and 2008, said "arbitrarily" overturning the status of the building where Mr Assange has taken shelter to avoid extradition, would make life 'impossible' for British diplomats overseas.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "I think the Foreign Office have slightly overreached themselves here, for both practical and legal reasons.

"The Government itself has no interest in creating a situation where it is possible for governments everywhere to arbitrarily cut off diplomatic immunity. It would be very bad."

Pretty much.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew....

Yep. They do this and it's open season on all of their diplomats everywhere. That's an extremely stupid thing for them to do.

Live video: Outside the Ecuador embassy in London
http://reuters.livestation.com/demo

tweet: @Reuters

Quote:

UK Foreign Minister Hague says determined to see Assange extradited to Sweden.