RANT: Ecuador, What's Up With You People?!

Julian Assange continues to wallow inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, and, according to his mother, Christine, his health is deteriorating. She claims that the strain of the relentless persecution against her son over the past two years are taking a toll on her son.



Christine Assange met with the Ecuadorean authorities in Quito on Monday, basically pleading for them to grant him the asylum that he is seeking from the South American nation. Asylum that many of us thought would surely be quite forthcoming, considering that Julian had had a very candid interview on Russia Today with Ecuador's charismatic president, Rafael Correa, just a few short months ago.

In fact, President Correa appeared downright smitten with Assange's whistleblowing achievements, and the mood between the two men was decidedly warm and mutually admiring.

In fact, I distinctly remember Correa at one point during the interview inviting Assange to go to Ecuador where he would be "well received and always welcome." Is it any wonder then that Julian Assange chose to seek refuge in that very country's embassy just weeks after that interview...? 

So, what am I and others following this saga supposed to make of these words from Ricardo Patino, the Foreign Minister of Ecuador, as reported by CBS news?:

"Ecuador is doing "everything possible to protect the life of Mr. Assange."

Okay, that sounds good, but then its stated by CBS that, "Ecuadorean officials have said they will not announce a decision on the asylum request until after the London Olympic Games end in mid-August."

Why?! What is so damn special about the fact that the bloody Olympic Games are being held in London? Is Julian Assange SUCH A HUGE THREAT to the very security of the Olympic Games itself, never mind the whole of the UK?!

Patino continues by saying: "For that reason we are engaged in conversation with the Swedish and government and also with Great Britain before speaking to the United States."

What?! Since when is it necessary for a sovereign nation to be liaising with the United States of all countries in a matter taking place in the UK and with implications too with Sweden, when we all know that the Yanks are the very reason why Assange is so fearful for his life and took refuge in the Ecuador embassy in the first place...!
What the hell is going on with Ecuador? The CBS article does continue by stating that, "Ecuadorean officials are seeking assurances that Sweden and Britain would not allow Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported last week, citing unnamed officials at the country's London embassy."

Right...uh huh...as if the United States of all countries would ever give those types of assurances, never mind if they even stoop to do so...yeah, right!
I'll say it again: what the hell is going on with Ecuador? Why all this time? Why all these delays? Why all this kowtowing to the likes of the United States, to which Ecuador has supposedly thumbed its nose at so many times a la Hugo Chavez's Venezuela?

Was seeking asylum with Ecuador a bad idea for Julian Assange after all?

Does Ecuador in reality not measure up to its international bravado? What is Ecuador so scared of? Does Ecuador have another agenda? Is Julian now their pawn? One can only shudder at that thought.

I can only hope for the best, and indeed hope that Ecuador is just playing for time and playing all the right cards in diplomatic gamesmanship. I do hope that.

But I can't help believing that Assange would have possibly done better in rather seeking asylum with Venezuela. My mom certainly seems to believe that. She may have a point.

I somehow don't see Hugo Chavez having flip-flopped quite like this. Not with a golden opportunity like this to yet again flip the Imperialist States of America a big, fat middle finger.

I do hope Quito doesn't quit on Assange.

Where is Cuba at the height of Fidel Castro when you need it? Where indeed...

Do you get my point?