Assange sees year in embassy
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has told Ecuadorian television he expects to wait up to a year for a deal to allow him to walk free from the country's embassy in London.
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The UK and Ecuador standoff over Julian Assange
Assange expects to be in Ecuadorian embassy 'for up to a year'
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange expects to wait up to a year for a deal to free him from Ecuador's embassy in London.
– Julian Assange told Ecuador's Gama television networkI think the situation will be solved through diplomacy. The Swedish government could drop the case. I think this is the most likely scenario.
Maybe after a thorough investigation of what happened they could drop the case.
I think this will be solved in between six and 12 months, that's what I estimate.
Ecuador says Britain withdraws threat to raid embassy in Assange standoff
Britain has withdrawn a threat to enter Ecuador's embassy in London to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who has taken refuge there, says President Rafael Correa.
"We consider this unfortunate incident over, after a grave diplomatic error by the British in which they said they would enter our embassy," Correa said in a weekly media address.
In a statement, Ecuador's government said it had received "a communication from the British Foreign Office which said that there was no threat to enter the embassy."
Ecuador was furious after the British government warned it might try to seize Assange, who has been holed up in the building for more than two months trying to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over rape and sexual assault allegations.
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Ministers urge Britain and Ecuador to end Assange stand off
Foreign ministers from the American continent have urged Britain and Ecuador to peacefully end the stand off over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
The Organisation of American States (OAS) met in Washington yesterday to discuss the situation and passed a motion backing the "inviolability of diplomatic missions".
Senior officials from the 34-member bloc also urged the two sides to continue a dialogue to resolve the row.
Police confirm 'documents were officer's briefing notes'
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the documents were the officer's notes taken during a briefing, The Independent reported.
Our objective is to arrest Julian Assange for breach of bail. Under no circumstances would any arrest be made which was in breach of diplomatic immunity.
Police instructions on Julian Assange's arrest
The "current" tactics, captured by a photographer from the clipboard of a police officer, on dealing with the WikiLeaks founder read:
BRIEF - EQ. Embassy brief - Summary of current position Re Assange.
Action required - Assange to be arrested under all circumstances.
He comes out with dip. immun., as dip bag, in dip bag (risk to life) in dip. vehicle. - ARRESTED.
Discuss possibilities of distraction. ...
Assange arrest tactics spotted on officer's clipboard
The police instructions over Julian Assange's arrest were seen on a document held on a clipboard being carried by an officer in central London.
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Police told to arrest Assange 'under all circumstances'
Police have been instructed to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange "under all circumstances" should he leave Ecuador's London embassy, including if he was granted diplomatic immunity by the South American country or came out in a diplomatic bag.
The instructions for the tactics to bring in Mr Assange, including the possibilities of potential distractions, were captured on a police clipboard by a photographer.
Sweden wants to extradite him to face questioning over rape and sexual assault allegations.
Ecuador wants to agree Assange 'compromise' with UK government
– Ecuadorian officialWe would very much like the Foreign Office to send a formal letter saying the embassy is not going to be invaded. That would be very much preferred, so that conversations can be re-started.
We are willing to achieve a compromise. There is space for an agreement which satisfies all parties. Ecuador has been reasonable and will continue to be reasonable. We think things can be solved.
Ecuador offers Assange limitless embassy stay
Ecuador has remained optimistic that a "compromise" can be reached with the UK government over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's future.
But they reiterated the 41-year-old Australian, who is wanted in Sweden over claims of sexual assault, can stay at their London embassy for "as long as it takes."
– Ecuadorian officialHe can stay here for eight years... two centuries. However long he wants.
The officials urged the UK government to withdraw a threat to controversially enter the embassy to arrest Assange, despite Foreign Secretary William Hague insisting there was no intention to "storm" the building.
– Ecuadorian officialThe best thing to do is for the Government to withdraw the threat. The Foreign Office has been contacting many South American countries in the past week indicating they wanted to open conversations again with the Ecuador government - but they have made no approach.
Ecuadoreans march in support of Julian Assange asylum decision
On Monday, hundreds of Ecuadoreans gathered outside President Rafael Correa's office in support of the government's decision to grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
One supporter said: "We're here to support the timely and correct decision to grant asylum to Julian Assange and also to reject the hostile reaction of Great Britain in cahoots with United States."