The morning of August 16. many waited anxiously the expected decision of the Goberment whether thy will grant the Australian hacker and leader of the controversial organization Wikileaks, Julian Assange, political asylum in Ecuador or not. The main issue in this news program, however, was the delays connected to the inauguration of the new main airport in October. This is probably a far more actuak problem for the average Ecuadorian.
Nevertheless the government’s foreign spokesman, Ricardo Patiño, presented the decision that the Australian may come to Ecuador. 8 weeks have passed since Assange left his house arrest and wandered in through the door in the London Embassy. Then he knew that Britain intended to hand him over to Sweden.
Did he already had a confirmation from Ecuador that he would get asylum? An interview Assange did with Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa short time ago, shows good chemistry between them. The president has also otherwise shown sympathy for the activities of Wikileaks. But the president did however said that the application must be given thoroughful considerations. It was initiated discussions with the involved countries, the UK who decided that he should be extradited, Sweden, where there is a accusation of sexual assault, the United States which may desire him extradited from Sweden and accusing him of actions that according to their law can give the death penalty and Australia where he has his citizenship.
Assanges charming mother came to Ecuador for supporting her sons case. Correa announced that the decision would be made after the termination of the Olympic Games in London. The matter was extremely delicate. Immediately before the official decision the British government sent a letter to the embassy where they wrote that they considered to come in and pick up Assange.
«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.»
This was like lighting a match and utterly counterproductive. They are very sensitive in Ecuador and other Latin American countries about colonial paternalism. Britain’s attitude in the Falkland Islands conflict with Argentina is not well considered here.
So Mr. Patiño read the reasons, resumed the facts, quoted international conventions and concluded. The key point is that Assange life and integrity is in danger because he risks being expelled on to the U.S. and impose the death penalty. Ecuador has not been given guarantees that this will not happen.
Ecuador will not allow yourself to be instructed either by the U.S. or other major powers when they make their decisions. Correa had previously shown that he gets balls, to use a distinctive Iberian expression, when he refused to renew a U.S. base deal. But for economic reasons, it is also hard to put out with the big ones. Ecuador need of trade agreements with the United States as well as Europe. It should preferably not be a breach of diplomatic ties.
On the base of the British threat of entering their embassy, Ecuador had scheduled meetings with ithe foreign ministries of members of organizations like ALBA, UNASUR (the south American states) an OEA (All American states). We are surely expecting a diplomatic storm to come up.