Assange 'Incredible strain' in relations between Ecuador and over his involvement in Edward Snowden

[struggle4progress]

WikiLeaks founder has been at nation's London embassy after claiming asylum more than a year ago
Kevin Rawlinson
Monday 01 July 2013

Relations between the Ecuadorean government and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are becoming “incredibly strained” over the latter’s involvement in the Edward Snowden affair, The Independent has learned.

If unresolved, the tensions - which were confirmed by a Quito source on Monday - could bring into question Mr Assange’s own position within the Andean nation’s London embassy. He claimed asylum there more than a year ago in order to avoid extradition to Sweden.

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa was furious with his own diplomat Fidel Narvaez, who – in conjunction with Mr Assange – organised the handing of a safe passage letter to Mr Snowden. He called the move, which was apparently made without consulting the central government, a “serious error”, for which the consul was likely to be punished. And WikiLeaks’ involvement in the debacle also angered Quito ...

But the renewed murmurs of discontent from Quito indicate that its government is not entirely placated and that Mr Assange remains at risk of incurring its wrath ...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/exclusive-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-incredible-strain-in-relations-between-ecuador-and-over-his-involvement-in-edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-affair-8681776.html

[still_one]

1. Wasn't as damage elected president of Ecuador? He sure seems like it

[bunnies]

2. so....

What happens to Assange if he gets kicked out of the embassy? I think Id be peeing my pants a bit right now if I were him. Yikes.

[struggle4progress]

3. Assange considers himself infinitely more clever than everyone else and so untouchable

He got a wrist-slap for his teenaged hacking escapades. He took an advance for a book that he never delivered, and then complained loudly when the publisher, per contract, finished it without his consent. He stiffed all his guarantors their bail money without notice. He'll happily let Narvaez take the fall here, too, if possible

[bunnies]

4. Sounds like a real swell guy.

I wondered why he seemed so smug in the few interviews Ive seen of him. Now I know. What a jerk.

[flamingdem]

5. I think Correa will wait until the Snowden issue has been resolved

and the press is on to other topics until he ejects Assange from the Embassy.

Assange crossed a pride line by directing the Ecuadorans how to run their government.

Also, he didn't have his act together with Snowden and he's now causing bad optics for the anti-American cause.