Summary: Relations between nations usually consist of boring dances combining crass self-interest with craven obsequiousness (by small nations) or brutal assertiveness (by largers). Today we have a refreshing break in the pattern, as Ecuador defies the United States (and its tame dogs, Sweden and Britain).
From Reuters today:
“Ecuador has decided to grant political asylum to Julian Assange following the request sent to the President,” Patino told a press conference in Quito. He argued that Assange’s personal security was at risk, extradition to a third country without proper guarantees was probable, and legal evidence showed he would not have a fair trial if eventually transferred to the United States. “This is a sovereign decision protected by international law. It makes no sense to surmise that this implies a breaking of relations (with Britain),” Patino added.
US commentators featured in the news — almost all flag-waving robots, de facto stenographers of the government — went into a frenzy of disinformation about the obvious truth of Minister Patino’s statement. Ignored in the propaganda torrent is that Assange has not been accused of rape, but a far vaguer “sexual misconduct”. That this is obviously a US-driven program of retaliation against him — and to damage Wikileaks. And that since 9/11 fair trials are a thing of the past in the US for those the government considers its enemies, as most judges have become their boot-licking servants.
We covered this in real-time on the FM website, in the posts below.
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About this form of 4GW in the 21st century: Using covert operations to discredit your enemies
Posts about the Julian Assange affair:
- Sad news about the CIA, 23 August 2010 – Delusional assumption about America savvy.
- The full story of the rape charges against Julian Assange of Wikileaks, a possible covert op., 27 August 2010
- Update to the Wikeleaks rape story, and why it’s important, 29 August 2010 – If a covert op, it’s working
- New and strange developments in the prosecution of Julian Assange (Wikileaks), 1 September 2010 – New but not more enlightening.
- Endgame for the affair Assange: a big win for the government, 27 September 2010
- The US government successfully smears Wikileaks, while America sleeps, 22 October 2010