UK 'threatens' to raid Ecuador embassy over Assange

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43. Bottom line: the Ecuadorians have shown themselves neophytes at diplomacy

The UK, quietly and behind the scenes, explained to the Ecuadorians the UK's obligation to deliver Assange to Sweden

The UK further offered the Ecuadorians opportunity to discuss any concerns about UK procedural safeguards

Finally, the UK made sure that the Ecuadorians understood that the UK does not believe diplomatic missions have carte blanche to disregard the laws of the host country; and the UK pointed out that there are mechanisms for ungranting any diplomatic recognitions granted. The UK added that it did not expect to employ these mechanisms

At this point, Ecuador asserted that the UK had threatened to storm the Ecuadorian embassy. Of course, the UK made no such threat: the UK merely indicated, in somewhat roundabout fashion, that the Assange matter could have consequences for the relations between Ecuador and the Uk, noting that it was within the power of the UK to close the embassy