Julian Assange and WikiLeaks

Is Julian Assagne a genuine whistleblower?

  • Whistleblower

    Votes: 21 67.7%
  • CIA Crony / Agent

    Votes: 10 32.3%

  • Total voters
    31

Cliff@sea

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Ecuador grants asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asylum



* Britain could revoke Ecuadorian embassy's diplomatic status

* Ecuador: "We're not a British colony".

* Three Assange supporters arrested at Ecuadorean embassy


By Mohammed Abbas and Alessandra Prentice

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Britain said on Thursday that any decision by Ecuador to give Julian Assange political asylum wouldn't change a thing and that it might still revoke the diplomatic status of Quito's embassy in London to allow the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder.

The high-profile Australian former hacker has been holed up inside the red-brick embassy in central London for eight weeks since he lost a legal battle to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over rape allegations.

Britain's tough talk on the issue takes what has become an international soap opera to new heights since Assange angered the United States by publishing secret U.S. diplomatic cables on his WikiLeaks website. It may also raise difficult questions for London about the sanctity of embassies' diplomatic status.

The Ecuadorean government, which said it would announce whether it had granted Assange's asylum request on Thursday at 7 a.m. (1200 GMT), has said any attempt by Britain to remove the diplomatic status of its embassy would be a "hostile and intolerable act".

"It is too early to say when or if Britain will revoke the Ecuadorean embassy's diplomatic status," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "Giving asylum doesn't fundamentally change anything."

"We have a legal duty to extradite Mr Assange. There is a law that says we have to extradite him to Sweden. We are going to have to fulfill that law."

Outside the embassy, British police tussled with protesters chanting slogans in support of Assange and at least three supporters were detained.

Quito bristled at Britain's warning.

"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.


Britain's threat to withdraw diplomatic status from the Ecuadorean embassy drew criticism from some former diplomats who said it could lead to similar moves against British embassies.

"I think the Foreign Office have slightly overreached themselves here," Britain's former ambassador to Moscow, Tony Brenton, told the BBC.

"If we live in a world where governments can arbitrarily revoke immunity and go into embassies then the life of our diplomats and their ability to conduct normal business in places like Moscow where I was and North Korea becomes close to impossible."


LONDON EMBASSY

Ecuador's embassy, near London's famed Harrods department store, has been under tight surveillance, with police officers manning the entrance and patrolling its perimeter.

A group of pro-Assange protesters gathered outside the building overnight in response to a rallying call by his supporters on social media websites.

Wearing trademark Guy Fawkes masks - to evoke the spirit of the 17th century English plotter - they held banners and blasted out songs by punk group The Jam from a portable speaker.

A Reuters reporter saw at least three protesters being dragged away by police. About 20 officers were outside the embassy trying to push away the crowd of about 15 supporters.

"I am upset that the British government is willing to go in there and take him by force," said Liliana Calle, 24, an Ecuadorean student waving her country's flag outside the embassy. "It makes me think they don't believe in human rights."

In what appeared to be prank, taxis lined up outside the embassy asking for Julian Assange.

"I've lived, worked and travelled in places with proper dictatorships and nowhere have I seen violations of the Vienna convention to this extent," said Farhan Rasheed, 42, a historian wearing an "I love Occupy" badge, outside the embassy.

"Here we have a government which claims to be a government of law and justice, stretching and possibly about to break a serious binding international agreement."

Swedish prosecutors have not yet charged Assange, but they believe they have a case to take to trial.

Assange fears Sweden could send him on to the United States, where he believes authorities want to punish him for publishing thousands of diplomatic cables in a major embarrassment for Washington.

Even if he were granted asylum, Assange has little chance of leaving the Ecuadorean embassy in London without being arrested.

There has been speculation he could travel to an airport in a diplomatic car, be smuggled out in a diplomatic bag, or even be appointed an Ecuadorean diplomat to give him immunity.

But lawyers and diplomats see those scenarios as practically unworkable.

Ecuador's leader Correa is a self-declared enemy of "corrupt" media and U.S. "imperialism", and apparently hit it off with Assange during a TV interview the Australian did with him in May. Correa joked then with Assange that he had joined "the club of the persecuted".

The Ecuadorean government has said it wants to avoid Assange's extradition to Sweden, but if it did decide to grant him asylum it would offer no legal protection in Britain where police will arrest him as soon as they get a chance.


Julian Assange Embassy Battle: UK Threatens To Revoke Ecuadorian Diplomatic Status, Vows To Arrest
 

Apollyon

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Re: UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asy

Listened to Press Conference of Ecuador
It was certainly like Ecuador saying to UK suck my d!(k :lawl:

"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.
 

Tolaha

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Re: UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asy

This 'Assange' episode has shown US and UK in a different light, hasn't it!? UK has expressed its intentions to break international law and all so that a person can face 'rape charges' in Sweden! Atleast US makes its intentions clear that it maybe wrong but it needs its man whatever it may take, damn the world! Its UK's that ends up looking like a clown!
 

Cliff@sea

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Re: UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asy

Here is the translation of the threatening note which was issued by British Foreign Office :


"We are aware, and surprised by media reports in the last 24 hours, that Ecuador is about to take a decision and proposes to grant asylum to Mr. Assange.

"The reports quote official sources.

"We note that the (Ecuadorean) President (Rafael Correa) has stated that no decision has yet been made.

"We are concerned, if true, that this might undermine our efforts to agree a joint text setting out the positions of both countries, allowing Mr. Assange to leave the Embassy.

"As we have previously set out, we must meet our legal obligations under the European Arrest Warrant Framework Decision and the Extradition Act 2003, to arrest Mr. Assange and extradite him to Sweden. We remain committed to working with you amicably to resolve this matter. But we must be absolutely clear this means that should we receive a request for safe passage for Mr. Assange, after granting asylum, this would be refused, in line with our legal obligations.

"In that light, and given the statements of the last 24 hours, we hope that you are prepared to continue to engage with the ongoing diplomatic discussions. We continue to believe that a solution is possible on the basis of a jointly agreed text, which would accompany Mr. Assange exiting the Embassy, and leading to his extradition.

"We have a further meeting scheduled for Thursday 16th August. Given the statements made in Quito overnight, about an imminent decision, should we take it this meeting will be the final one to agree a joint text?

"We have to reiterate that we consider continued use of diplomatic premises in this way, to be incompatible with the VCDR (Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations) and not sustainable, and that we have already made clear to you the serious implications for our diplomatic relations.

"You should be aware that there is a legal basis in the U.K. - the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act - which would allow us to take action to arrest Mr. Assange in the current premises of the Embassy.

"We very much hope not to get this point, but if you cannot resolve the issue of Mr. Assange's presence on your premises, this route is open to us.

"We understand the importance to you of the issues raised by Mr. Assange, and the strong public pressure in country. But we still have to resolve the situation on the ground, here in the U.K., in line with our legal obligations. We have endeavored to develop a joint text, which helps both meet your concerns, and presentational needs.

"We believe a joint text and a voluntary surrender by Mr. Assange is the best way forward."

 

trackwhack

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Re: UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asy

Yankee Poodle!

The empire is on its broken knees. Even insignificant tiny countries are flicking the UK the bird.

America take note.
 

rock127

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Re: UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asy

UK Threatens to revoke Diplomatic Status as Ecuador grants Wikileaks founder asylum

* Britain could revoke Ecuadorian embassy's diplomatic status
* Ecuador: "We're not a British colony".
* Three Assange supporters arrested at Ecuadorean embassy

.
.
.

"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..
.
.

Julian Assange Embassy Battle: UK Threatens To Revoke Ecuadorian Diplomatic Status, Vows To Arrest
:laugh: :lol: :lol:...... UK still seems to be suffering from their colonial hangover.
 

Known_Unknown

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Go Assange! This is one man against an army of depraved establishment drones out to get him. Break the system from the inside, that's the only way to do it.

Hope he keeps up his crusade for free speech.....we need more of such non-profit, community based news organizations which don't feed us government propaganda under the garb of "free media".
 

parijataka

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The drama continues.

The WikiLeaks siege fiasco: As tiny Ecuador saves Assange from extradition by granting asylum, 40 police surround embassy... and if he steps outside, they'll pounce

  • Julian Assange has hid from law for nearly two months in embassy
  • Police operation will cost at least £50,000 a day
  • Fears he could be smuggled out in a diplomatic bag
  • Ecuadorian foreign minister: Assange could face death penalty if sent to US by Sweden
  • William Hague: Asylum was being used 'for the purposes of escaping the regular processes of the court'

Britain was locked in a farcical diplomatic stand-off with Ecuador last night after the South American country granted asylum to WikiLeaks fugitive Julian Assange.

Assange, who is wanted in Sweden on rape and sexual assault charges, has spent nearly two months hiding from the law in the Ecuadorian embassy.

Yesterday more than 40 policemen surrounded the building in central London to ensure the Australian could not be smuggled out.

A further six officers were stationed in the communal areas of the building, guarding lifts and access to the roof, as part of an operation that will cost at least £50,000 a day.

The moment Mr Assange sets foot outside the confines of the embassy, which is just yards from Harrods, the 41-year-old will be arrested.

Police will be equipped with heat detection equipment to beat any attempt to use special diplomatic bags or furniture to aid his escape.

Scores of his supporters added to the circus atmosphere chanting 'hands off Ecuador' and 'Julian Assange freedom fighter'.

Many of them wore masks associated with the Anonymous hacking group that has attacked government websites.
 

Daredevil

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What is he stays for an year in the Embassy?. Will the british government spend 18 million pounds for whole one year. Unlikely. And also Ecuador might slip him away under the dark of the night on one fine day.
 

trackwhack

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^^^ Since propaganda is free for all, why not!

Here is another view

Main Street : Shobhan Saxena's blog-The Times Of India

Bravo, Ecuador! Now, beware of Big Bullies!

This is what is called courage. This is the power of conviction. Even as the big bullies of global politics – US & UK – were trying to arm-twist Rafael Correa, the president of Ecuador, into submission, the South American leader showed how bold he was by giving asylum to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks who has changed the nature of journalism and the way the governments do their business – their dirty business.

Correa is a man of conviction. He has battled Ecuador's robber barons – always backed by the US -- and the right-wing media on his way to the country's presidency. He represents that generation of South America's left-wing leaders who decline to give in to American pressure and refuse to be treated as America's backyard.

In his interview with Julian Assange on his show on Russia Today (RT) television channel a few months ago, Correa was clear about what he thought of Washington. When Julian Assange asked him what do "the Ecuadorean people think about the US and its involvement in Latin America and in Ecuador?" Correa said: "Evo Morales (the Bolivian president) says, the 'only country that can be sure never to have a coup d'etat is the United States because it hasn't got a U.S. Embassy'." Spot on!

Then he spoke about how the Americans funded and controlled the police in Ecuador – and hence its economy and politics. After coming to power, Correa cut that money trail, and that led to some anger in police units. "I'd like to say that one of the reasons that led to police discontent was the fact that we cut all the funding the U.S. Embassy provided to the police. Before and even after we took office, we took a while to correct this. Before, there were whole all police units, key units, fully funded by the U.S. Embassy whose offices in command were chosen by the U.S. ambassador and paid by the U.S. And so we have increased considerably the police pay"¦"

The Julian Assange Show – one of the best shows on television ever – was an eye opener. Even after Assange walked into the Ecuadorean embassy and stopped doing the show, RT continued following the story, though the WikiLeaks founder almost vanished from the screens of BBC and CNN. I have been following the Assange's asylum drama on RT for months and now it's clear to me what the western governments are really afraid of. Speaking on the channel in an interview on Wednesday, Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple Computers with Steve Jobs in 1976, said, "As far as WikiLeaks, I wish I knew more about the whole case. On the surface it sounds to me like something that's good. The whistleblower blew the truth. The people found out what they the people had paid for. And the government says, 'No, no, no. The people should not know what the people had paid for."

Another big revelation came from Kevin Zeese, who has been running a campaign for Bradley Manning, the US army private who presumably leaked all the cables to Assange and is now rotting in a US prison. Speaking on RT, Zeese said the US calls Assange a "high-tech terrorist" because the "US is scared by the information disseminated by Assange, as it reveals corruption at all levels of the US government."

"There is an embarrassment to the US Empire, but no one has been killed by this. There has been no undermining of US national security," said Kevin Zeese, emphasizing that what really worries the government is that the public sees what the US does on a "day-to-day basis."

Zeese is not the only one exposing the truth behind Britain's "veiled threats" to storm the Ecuadorean embassy in London and hand over Assange to Sweden. The British call it their "binding obligation." But their intention is highly suspicious. According to David Swanson, an author and activist, it is likely that if Assange was extradited to Sweden he would handed over to the US where he will be tried for espionage, given "the unusualness of the extradition with no charges in place."

The threat to Assange's freedom is real. According to an email from US-based intelligence company, Stratfor, leaked in February, US prosecutors had already issued a secret indictment against Assange. "Not for Pub. — We have a sealed indictment on Assange. Pls protect," Stratfor official Fred Burton wrote in a January 26, 2011, email obtained by hacktivist group Anonymous.

Now, the question is if Assange can get out of the Ecuadorean embassy in London, get to the Heathrow and take a flight to Ecuador. It's not easy. The British – in complete violation of international law – might arrest him the moment he steps out of the building. The Americans – in complete violation of international law – can scramble their fighter jets and force his plane to land in Guantanamo. They have already declared him a terrorist (That also makes terrorists of all journalists and newspapers who wrote and carried reports based on the leaked cables).

Taking out innocent people in the name of "war on terror" is America's new business. Believe it or not, US President Barack Obama, the Nobel peace prize winner, personally has been signing death warrants for "terrorists", who quite often turn out to be ordinary villagers, farmers, school children and women in the dusty valleys of Afghanistan. This is Dronophilia – killing people with a remote control, with a pilotless machine hovering over, with a missile that blows people to bits, and they don't need to confirm if they got their 'target'.

Ecuador has done the right thing by giving asylum to Assange. A small country has stood up to the big bullies of global politics even when the so-called giants of the new global order – India and China – have remained mute spectators to the whole drama. They have failed to speak for free speech, human rights and transparency in government affairs.

Julian Assange exposed the crimes and dirty games the big powers play. So, they went after him. Now, Ecuador has given him shelter. They will for sure go after this small country now, for sure. This will be a good excuse to meddle into the internal affairs of South American again.

Ecuador has done a brave thing but now it needs to be careful. It needs to be very careful. The whole South American continent needs to be careful now"¦
 

parijataka

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Shobhan Saxena is a left wing figure I think from what we can see from his writings. Hate the great Satan America is all they know. US arse is on fire because of Assange's revelations and UK is playing along. Good on Ecuador to give asylum to Assange but Shobhan Saxena has written crap.

Dronophilia wt...
 

trackwhack

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Shobhan Saxena is a left wing figure I think from what we can see from his writings. Hate the great Satan America is all they know. US arse is on fire because of Assange's revelations and UK is playing along. Good on Ecuador to give asylum to Assange but Shobhan Saxena has written crap.

Dronophilia wt...
What part. Please elaborate.
 

W.G.Ewald

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CIA agent or CIA Rogue agent?
CIA rogue agents exist only in the minds of Hollywood film makers. Julian Assange is not Jason Bourne.

Is Assange a CIA asset? Only if the CIA was conducting an operation against the US Dept. of State.

However, Assange is being held for charges of sexually assaulting 2 women in Sweden, which is implausible. He looks like he would have the same sexual orientation as his little buddy Nancy Manning.
 

IBSA

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I'm beside Ecuador in the Assange's issue.

I just read that UNASUL (Union of South American Nations) countries made a joint statement in defence of Ecuador and its inviolable sovereignty on the case of Assange's asylum in the Ecuatorian embassy on UK.

I think we South Americans shall supports Assange, or more properly, our brother Ecuador. We are united already on the Malvinas issue. If UK forces enters inside Ecuatorian embassy and wounds him sovereignity, we South American will stand up yet more against the brishits... oh sorry, the britishs.

If I was the Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, I would concede asylum to Assange and say to britishs: Does you want Assange back? Ok, but give me back Malvinas Islands before it. :taunt:
 

LurkerBaba

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