Assange diplomatic row spreads ahead of key statement (by Assange)

[Peace Patriot]

22. Ecuador said they could question Assange in the embassy without impediment. They refused!

What you are suggesting has already happened.

It's clear that they just want Assange in custody--nothing to do with their floundering, absurd case about "sex crimes." Everything to do with "rendering" Assange to the U.S. for torture and possible execution for the crime of journalism. That's the fate, these days, of many journalists in U.S. client states, Honduras and Colombia. It was the fate of 14 journalists in Iraq killed by the U.S. military.* It makes you scream with laughter when the U.S. starts jabberwockying about "freedom of speech." We know they only mean freedom of corporate speech but in Iraq the U.S. didn't abide even by that. Corporate reporters were targeted and killed possibly as a "lesson" to all.

In any case, Assange's stated goal of open government is anathema to the privatized U.S. government and the Corporate Rulers and War Profiteers whom it serves. Sweden likely has dirty secrets itself and fears and loathes Assange for that reason. They've trumped up a case against him that is so lame they haven't brought any charges, in all this time. (The two women who accused him now say that he didn't rape them, he is not violent and they do not fear him.) All this international furor over a man wanted for questioning? And he offers to be questioned and they turn him down? Nope. The "case" means nothing to Sweden. They want CUSTODY of Assange--in order to turn him over to the U.S. That is why they refuse to question him.

You are right that that would resolve the matter. Ecuador is an honest negotiator in this situation. They've offered two solutions--Swedish prosecutors questioning Assange in the embassy, and Sweden promising not to extradite him to the U.S. Sweden has turned down both. And the U.K.'s response was to threaten to storm the embassy, in gross violation of international law and human rights protocols, to arrest Assange. Why? Why on earth would they do this--or even threaten it--over a journalist wanted for questioning on a minor matter? I think the U.K. promised the U.S. that they would "get" Assange and deliver him to the U.S. via Sweden and they are furious that their nasty little plot got foiled.

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*(http://usliberals.about.com/od/homelandsecurit1/a/IraqNumbers.htm)