WikiLeaks' Julian Assange says US gave 'tacit approval' to embassy attacks

[JDPriestly]

9. I disagree. He is just pointing out that the US should do unto others as it would have others

do unto it.

Respecting the diplomatic immunity and sovereignty of embassies has to be universal.

We send our diplomats to foreign countries where they sometimes serve in great jeopardy, at great danger to themselves. International law demands that we respect and provide the utmost security to all diplomatic missions on our soil. We have the reciprocal right to demand that from other countries.

Today that was brought home.

President Obama does not appear to believe that the Libyan government denied us the right under international law to a secure embassy. He seemed less certain about the Egyptian government, perhaps because the intentions of the Egyptian government toward us are not yet clear.

I have often posted on this. It isn't a matter of what we think of Assange. He may be a wonderful person. He may be a total creep. We cannot really know based on the tiny image we have of him. We only see a silhouette of people like Assange. We cannot know who such a person really is.

But we can apply a universal code for right and wrong behavior. And I believe that, whether we agree with what goes on in embassies or not, we have to respect the right of other countries' diplomats and diplomatic missions to peace and security when they are in foreign countries. That goes for Ecuador. That goes for our embassies no matter where they are.

We were rightfully incensed when our Tehran embassy was taken over by the Iranians in the 1970s. That was a terrible violation of international law. And we have not forgotten it. Nor should we.