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Ecuador receives full support from OAS Ministers in dispute with UK over Assange case

Monday, August 27th 2012 - 06:05 UTC
Full article 33 comments

The Foreign Ministers of the Organization of American States (OAS) approved last Friday a resolution supporting the inviolability of diplomatic premises, in accordance with the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in the context of the situation created between Ecuador and the United Kingdom. Read full article

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  • Gordo1

    This resolution means nothing as no threat was ever made by Britain. This has all been nothing more than a “storm in a teacup” engineered by Correa and Patiño in an effort to hide their mistake in giving Assange “diplomatic” asylum.

    “Diplomatic” asylum is not recognised outside of Latin America.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 08:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Steve-32-uk

    'Ecuador called for the Organisation of American States vote saying the UK had threatened to storm the embassy.

    But the resolution was reworded after the UK insisted it had made no threat.

    The BBC's Kim Ghattas said the resolution expressed solidarity with Ecuador but, despite a strong plea from Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, there was no reference to any threat against his country's embassy in London.

    The United States withdrew its opposition to the resolution after the text was amended.'

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19377110

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 08:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Lou Spoo

    “The representative of the Dominican Republic had questioned why the meeting was called since the row over Mr Assange was not going to be solved there, especially not with any grandstanding by Ecuador”

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19377110

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 09:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Musky

    @3 LS
    Yes, will done to DR. They hit the nail on the head, Ecuador was hoping to milk Assange asylum for all it was worth... and its worth nothing at all.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 09:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • vestias

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 09:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    I wonder if Correa realises what the rest of the real world thinks about him?

    Probably not. He is getting himself morphed into the male version of TMBOA!

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Gordo1

    Panamá, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada were of the opinion that the matter should not have been dealt with by the OAS committee as one of the parties only had observer status.

    @5 Vestias. You opinion counts for nothing as you are not keeping to the rules of posting in English. It counts for nothing anyway.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 01:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Xect

    This makes even more painful reading for Ecuador who still continues to harbor a fugitive wanted for sex crimes especially the embarrassing step down in admitting the UK never threatened to storm the embassy.

    So what have you achieve Ecuador?

    Condemnation from the entire EU, the UK and the USA which give you one of the strongest diplomatic slaps in recent history.

    And if that isn't enough outside of the diplomatic circle you are been ripped to shreds for continuing to harbor a fugitive wanted for sex crimes against women.

    Disastrous decision for the people of Ecuador and the people in power.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 02:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 02:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    And how long before the Ecuadorian embassy is expelled from the UK for activities “inconsistent with its status”?

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 02:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • row82

    Please support Falklands Truth - it's a campaign page to promote the truth about the Falkland Islands and destroy Argentina's fascistic agenda https://www.facebook.com/truthfk

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157569: The governments of American disagree with you that no threat was made. And I, having read the UK document, can only interpret it as a clear threat.

    When you say that diplomatic asylum is recognized only in South America you are ignoring those European countries that also recognize it. For instance, Hungary, where it has been recognized by a previous Communist administration.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 03:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • War Monkey

    @12 Hepatia (#)
    Aug 27th, 2012 - 03:52 pm

    Well it wasn't a threat and the OAS have formally accepted that fact so you can get back in your cage. Before you do though, you might want to know that Hungary is no longer a member of the Soviet Bloc and being a progressive democracy for the last 23 years They generally recognise the ICJ policy thus:

    “A right of diplomatic asylum is not established in international law. The International Court of Justice has emphasised that in the absence of treaty or customary rules to the contrary, a decision by a mission to grant asylum involves a derogation from the sovereignty of the receiving state. The Organization of American States agreed a convention in 1954.”

    The word derogation in this context means that Ecuador is illegaly interfering in the UK judicial system and in a way are themselves de-valuing the Ecuadorian diplomatic mission in London. They have to a degree, undermined their inalienable diplomatic status. The UK informed them of this but never threatened to storm the building even though, in international law, the UK was entitled to do so.

    UK is a progressive, grown up democracy and wouldn't do it anyway because the UK understands the diplomatic fallout that this course of action would be potentially disasterous. The mistake that the UK did make was to trust Ecuador with sensitive and classified intergovernmental diplomatic communications. A bit like give a 2 year old child a box of matches and teaching it how to use them. The lesson has been learned and some doors will now be shut to the Ecuadorian diplomatic mission. Ecuador's loss, unfortunate but tough. Never mind I am sure we will get over it.

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 05:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157683: From the resolutions:

    “4. To reject any attempt that might put at risk the inviolability of the premises of diplomatic missions, to reiterate the obligation / of all states not to invoke provisions of their domestic law to justify non-compliance with their international obligations, and, in this context, to express its solidarity and support for the Government of the Republic of Ecuador.”

    You can see that the OAS has not “formally accepted” that there was no threat. On the contrary, it has been necessary for the OAS to warn the UK not to do anything that it may regret.

    The OAS has not agreed that granting asylum “involves a derogation from the sovereignty of the receiving state”. What you mean when you state that, “The Organization of American States agreed a convention in 1954” I cannot say (the sentence does not parse to a definite statement in English).

    I find it interesting that, by implication, you state that the Hungarian government could have stormed a US embassy. I think you will find that the US takes a different view regarding that.

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157683: Which “rules of posting in English” are you referring to?

    Mercopress is an American paper serving an audience who wish to follow American, and specifically Mercosul, news. Given that, the irony of UK rednecks complaining about a message written in an American language cannot be lost on you!

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    This story is difficult to read without cringing, Ecuador creates a situation from nothing and then wants the rest of south america to back it up in its own fabrication. What a collection if sorry bureaucrats. Assanges fate us well and truly sealed now. Did anyone hear the Swedish observer? She made her feeling pretty clear about what she thought of Venezuela's part in all of this :-)

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 06:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @14 And who is “OAS”? A bunch of largely insignificant “countries” at least one hundred years before the current times. Equador will have to pay.

    And if you had the intelligence to read the header, you would find that Mercopress styles itself a “South Atlantic News Agency”. If you get an atlas out you will find that the South Atlantic stretches all the way to Africa. And includes the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Places that will NEVER be American. And certainly not “latino” american. The dregs of the world!

    Aug 27th, 2012 - 06:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #6 “He is getting himself morphed into the male version of TMBOA!”

    I think he'd take that as a compliment! He's certainly, like her, a good looker =)

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 12:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157705: If the OAS is just a bunch of ”insignificant countries” then the UK has nothing to worry about. In that case I cannot imagine why you would even waste your time bothering to read this site, let alone comment. So, why are you such a time waster?

    Las Malvinas is part of Argentina and, so, America. They will be coming under Argentine administration within 25 years - sooner if a large amount of petroleum is found - so this site is just being forward looking.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 01:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    1 Gordo “This resolution means nothing as no threat was ever made by Britain”

    Really?

    “You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the Embassy,” read the letter. ”We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange's presence in your premises, this is an open option for us.”

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 03:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Gordo1

    I see a “reminder” - you see a “threat”! What a sensitive flower you are, just like Correa and Patiño.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 06:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @19 - Marcos.

    And just where in that letter does it say that Britain is going 'storm' the embassy like Correa claimed?

    If we truly wanted to 'storm' the embassy then Assange would be in Sweden now facing Swedish authorities and trying to explain why having non-consensual sex isn't rape in his book.

    You see, even the OAS doesn't support Ecuador, they only support the resumption of talks between the UK and Ecuador, and for both countries to sort out the problem.

    Well it's easy to sort out the problem. The embassy in London should open its door and hand over Assange to the police. The police will then put him on the next flight to Sweden, where he will face questioning on his activities on the night of the alleged sexual assault.

    Then the Swedish authorities will decide if there is enough evidence to bring a case against Assange. Assange will have the right to defend himself in court and the jury will decided, based on the evidence, if he is innocent or guilty. If innocent he will be sent back to the UK to face the music about breaking his bail conditions (probably a hefty fine or suspended jail sentence), if he's found guilty he will be given a prison sentence in Sweden in line with Swedish law.

    Either way, the USA couldn't give a fig about him, and why should they? He has staked his reputation on this conspiracy, and when nothing happens he discredits himself.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 06:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Xect

    As ever the interpretation of facts by some of our Argentine posters is so wide of the mark its barely believable. I do wonder if this is due to language differences but nobody in the western world who intimately understands English believes laying out options to be akin to threatening to 'storm the embassy'.

    Even OAS admitted no threat was made and hence the official statement does not include any text about a threat ever been made to such effect.

    Either way this political game Ecuador has backfired in the worst way possible for their country, its what is often referred to as a 'diplomatic own goal'

    As for OAS, they have no place here and the UK certainly won't be dictated too by some tin pot organization (the UK is far stronger than them combined and has the support of USA/Canada etc) not that they should be involved anyway. However the way this played out was Ecuador trying to curry favor with its own voters and neighbouring countries and found itself in a bad position whereby the UK wouldn't accept them misusing diplomatic powers to harbor a person wanted for alleged sex offenses against women.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 06:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157837: The UK explicitly threatens to violate the embassy when it states that, “We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange's presence in your premises, this is an open option for us.” Clearly the UK is envisioning invading Ecuador!

    You do need to re read the resolutions. When you do you will see that should the UK violate the embassy the countries forming the OAS will act. This will force both the Federal Republic's and France's hands and they will come down on the UK like a ton of bricks.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 09:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    23 Hepatia

    Given your stupidity with persisting with this 'invading' nonsense in the face of of the evidence you should change your tag.

    You defile the memory of the original Hepatia who, from all accounts, kept an open mind.

    I suggest 'Prevaricator' or 'The Disingenuous One'. Either would fit you so much better.

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 11:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment157889: So, unable refute the argument, you resort to ad hominem attacks. Well done!

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 02:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • cLOHO

    23... Not the wrath of France !!!! Didn't they supply Argentina with white flags.
    this is such a non story...Ecuador is flapping like a child drumming up support for what??? Have UK stormed the embassy...NO?..will they NO so what's all the flapping about, pure show boating and playing to the gallery by the the banana republic. let the police deal with a wanted rapist. maybe SA will become a safe haven for all wanted sex criminals!! You've done the Nazi thing now it's time for rapists

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    25 Hepatia

    You still cannot face the facts in this matter can you?

    1) Assange jumped UK bail issued as a result of the International Arrest Warrant by Sweden over alleged rape charges. Straight away his is guilty of a criminal offence (that of failing to surrender to bail);

    2) The coward then runs to the Ecuadorian Embassy, who I have to say, rather foolishly, grant him diplomatic immunity even though International Law does not allow this for common criminals.

    3) At no time has Assange denied the allegations. Do you not find that strange?

    4) The cnut Correa, seeing an opportunity to get at the UK starts mouthing off as usual, ignoring the International Law implications.

    So, where have I not refuted this Correa nonsense?

    Aug 28th, 2012 - 06:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment158040:

    1) As I understand it Assange has not been charged with any crime.

    2) At the time Assange entered the embassy Assange was not under indictment. As far as I know he is still not under indictment. In any case no trial has occurred so how you can call him a “common criminal” is beyond me.

    3) What allegations are you referring to? As I say he is not under indictment. There are no allegations to answer. By the way you still have not denied the allegations of beating your wife. Do you not find that strange?

    4) I was not aware that the UK was such an important country that Correa, or anybody else, would feel a need to “get at” it. What you must keep in mind is that most people in the Americas have a rather vague idea of where the UK is and it is part of Europe. So, you will see, that the idea of granting asylum in order to anger the UK makes no sense.

    Where have you not refuted “this Correa nonsense?” You completely failed to do so in this message:

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment158040:

    Instead you resorted to crude ad hominen attacks.

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 12:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    20 Gordo1 “I see a “reminder” - you see a “threat”! What a sensitive flower you are, just like Correa and Patiño”

    I see you are a liar.

    “You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the Embassy,” read the letter. ”We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange's presence in your premises, this is an open option for us.”

    “reminder” my left foot Mr gordito.

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 04:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    28 Hepatia

    Which bit of International Arrest Warrant do you not understand?

    Assange was brought before a Magistrate and remanded on bail.

    Assange then failed to surrender to bail by entering the Ecuadorian Embassy against International Diplomatic Agreements.

    There is no such thing as 'indictment' in UK Law.

    Assange had gone through the necessary system under the IAW and became a criminal once he had failed to surrender to his bail (go back to court at the agreed date). Failure to surrender to bail is of course a fact of law and cannot be 'pled out' to use the American term.

    Those are the facts.

    I shall not be responding to you future posts as you are clearly a troll and do not WISH to use the facts but the cnut Correa fantasy version.

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 10:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    http://en.mercopress.com/2012/08/27/ecuador-receives-full-support-from-oas-ministers-in-dispute-with-uk-over-assange-case#comment158237: An arrest warrant does not constitute an indictment. Lacking an indictment Ecuador is free to offer asylum.

    Actually I'm not surprised to learn that there is no such thing as indictment in the UK. The UK seems to think that the whole concept of due process and the rule of law is just some quaint notion. This attitude was shown to the whole world during the Pinochet extradition and the brutal wasting of that young Brazilian man by the state a few years ago - among other incidents.

    Assange has not been indicted, charged or convicted of any crime. He is, therefore, not guilty of any criminal offense as you have claimed.

    (P.S. You still have not denied the allegation that you beat your wife. Don't you find that strange?)

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 12:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    31 Hepatia

    Your final febrile comment is not worth an answer.

    It is like you claiming, by association, something of the Hepatia of Alexandria, only to prove yourself a complete idiot over the jumping bail is not a criminal act.

    It is in the UK, perhaps not in Ecuador, unless the cnut Correa says it is.

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 06:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    #28 I think you need to refine that stateament to “most people in south america have a rather vague idea of where the UK is”.

    “What allegations are you referring to? As I say he is not under indictment. There are no allegations to answer.”

    You must be a lawyer and utilizing a play on words with the word allegation, as the legal definitive is of course “ an assertion of a fact”. But playing with words is a perversion of reality. Nonetheless, investigatigations do not start without some impetus and the impetus was a criminal complaint that generated an investigation into the criminal compalint of rape and molestation.
    You can play a game with words but the fact remains that ja is under investigation by Sweden that was impeded on by ecuador on an unsubstainated notion that ja will be extradicted to the USA to ultimately be put to death.
    1-USA has not sentenced a spy to death since WWII.
    2-Why did the USA not do anything the entire years years he walked this earth freely, if they wanted him.
    3-The USA has not indicted him and in all probabibilty will not.

    JA deserves his current reward for not facing the claim and not denying he raped someone. ecuador deserves their lifelong houseguest for interference.
    I wish julian a VERY long and content life as a houseguest.

    Aug 29th, 2012 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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