by Lady Michelle-Jennifer Santos, Founder and Publisher
August 18, 2012 (TSR) – The Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa Delgado, reaffirmed a basic principle on their country’s sovereignty, “here is a sovereign government that does not kneel before anyone.”
The stern statement was in relations to the threat of the UK Foreign Minister William Hague to the effect that they could enter by force the Ecuadorian embassy in London to arrest the Australian journalist Julian Assange who has been granted asylum.
During the briefing, Correa said it was unacceptably grotesque, intolerable, rude and inconsiderate that the British Government believe will intimidate or browbeat Ecuador. “They do not know who they are dealing with,” he said.
He also said that even the British law has been distorted to suit their self-serving interests in a statement referred to inform about the possible incursion into Ecuadorian embassy.
“The law is for the case where a group of terrorists have taken the embassy, but not for this situation,” said the Head of State, adding that if the country that threatens Ecuador in that capacity, they have already crossed their Government’s mandate.
“That mentality! What a sight! Have they not heard that Ecuador is free and sovereign and we will not accept interference and colonialism of any kind?”said the President firmly.
In this context, Correa reiterated that this decision was taken very seriously and in strict adherence to the principles of international law. He further explained that the WikiLeaks founder was granted asylum since Sweden never gave assurances that it would not extradite Assange to a third country, mainly USA. This extradition fear is now warranted and officially confirmed by cables that Sydney Herald reported today.
The President also explained that the Ecuadorian government is not opposed to having Assange be investigated for alleged crimes of which he is accused in Sweden.
“Mr. Assange never sought to that he will not respond to judicial processes that exist in Sweden and face those who is involved, though the allegations in itself is questionable,” said President and said that the legal system in Europe is very different from the system Latin America.
In the latter, a person must have a firm judgment to be able to request his extradition, while in judicial systems like Sweden just someone being investigated for an alleged offense, he can be extradited.
“Here, we do not extradite U.S. corrupt bankers during their final court sentence, let alone only a preliminary investigation of a crime,” he said, adding that Ecuador always guarantees these rights.
In Assange’s case or anyone similar, having no assurances to be extradited to a third country “would be risking their lives or freedom permanently.”
Correa reflects that this case brings many paradox and lessons for Ecuador on international politics and the attitude of certain countries.
“All international agreements were signed, particularly Latin America and Ecuador, but if they forcibly enter our embassy and we took them to the Hague Tribunal, the United Kingdom does not recognize the court and the U.S. either,” explained, noting that this is one of the great contradictions of international politics and the hegemony of certain countries.
Yesterday, the ninth meeting of the Political Council of ALBA in Guayaquil, was convened with various Latin American foreign ministers in attendance. Nicolas Maduro (Venezuela), Douglas Slater (Granada), Bruno Rodriguez (Cuba) and Juan Carlos Alurralde (Bolivia) and the Vice Chancellor Valdrak Jaentschke (Nicaragua) were all present with Ricardo Patiño, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister who announced Assange’s asylum.
They analyzed the situation created after the Ecuadorian government granted diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange and the UK threat of violating the Embassy of Ecuador in London’s diplomatic immunity.
While this was happening in the main port of Ecuador, the President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez sent a greeting to all representatives who were at the meeting and gave his support.
“We will not tolerate the British threat!” Chavez said before raising his voice to say “Latin America is now to be respected.”
For his part, President Correa in the prologue of the session, took the invitation to support Foreign Minister Patiño’s rejectionUK and Britain blackmail and threats, saying “Ecuador is not willing to accept the remains of colonialism in the 21st century ”
At the end of the meeting, ALBA stood behind Ecuador.
Venezuelan FM Maduro warned that regional organisations the ALBA, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) are now being “activated…to accompany and stand behind the Ecuadorian government” over the issue.
