LONDON: Ecuador said yesterday it will continue to grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at its London embassy after talks with Britain failed to achieve a breakthrough in the case.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said the Australian was prepared to stay at the embassy for another five years if necessary until a diplomatic solution was found, insisting there were no plans to smuggle him out “in the boot of a car”.
Patino was speaking after talks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague in London ahead of the anniversary tomorrow of Assange’s flight to the embassy.
The 41-year-old former computer hacker sought refuge on June 19 last year after a British court ordered his extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sex crimes. Britain has refused to grant Assange safe passage out of the embassy to Ecuador, so he remains indefinitely stuck in the modest apartment near Harrods department store.
Hague and Patino “agreed to keep channels of communication open, but made no breakthrough” during their 45-minute meeting, said a statement from the British Foreign Office.
“Ministers agreed that officials should establish a working group to find a diplomatic solution to the issue of Julian Assange, but no substantive progress was made,” it said. “The foreign secretary (Hague) was clear once again that any resolution would need to be within the laws of the United Kingdom.” Patino met with Assange at the embassy on Sunday and they spoke through the night.
He said the Australian was in “good spirits” despite his confinement, which requires him to use a sun lamp to make up for the lack of natural light, and exercise on a treadmill.
“He did not say anything about his health. He said he was strong enough to stay in our embassy for at least five years if he is not granted safe passage,” Patino said.
AFP
