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Zorra

(27,670 posts)
17. Daniel Ellsberg: "Assange has every reason to be wary that the real intent here is to whisk him
Mon Dec 3, 2012, 04:07 PM
Dec 2012

to America".

DANIEL ELLSBERG: Well, everything that we’ve seen supports the position of his defense team, that this is not about sexual charges in Sweden, essentially, that that’s a cover story—whatever substance there may be to that story. But the procedures that have been followed here are extraordinary: a red notice here, very unusually given, never under these circumstances, to arrest him and these heavy efforts to extradite him, after he had offered either to be questioned by the prosecutor herself or by some representative of her in the Swedish embassy or the British embassy or by British police in London, where he was, something that, by the way, is routinely done all the time, and the expense is paid for that, if necessary—all of that being refused. Why? In a situation where this man is charged with criminal charges by no country—not by Sweden, not by Britain, not by the United States, although there may in fact be a secret indictment already waiting for him in the United States, being denied or lied about right now by my country. But no charges have actually been made public. So, here, all this emphasis just to get him charged—just to get him questioned, rather, when he’s offered himself for questioning, even right now in the Ecuadorean embassy. The state of Ecuador has actually officially proposed that that take place in the Ecuadorean embassy or elsewhere and in London. And that has been refused. All of this supports the idea that this is merely a way of getting him to Sweden, which apparently would be easier to extradite him from to the United States than Britain. If Britain were totally open to extraditing him, it would have happened by now. Two years have passed. But he’s an Australian citizen, a member of the Commonwealth, and the criteria for extraditing somebody who’s been telling the truth and is wanted for what can only be a political crime in another country are apparently more stringent here than they might be in Sweden.

So I think that—in fact, I join his lawyers, Michael Ratner and others, in saying that he has every reason to be wary that the real intent here is to whisk him away to America, where it really hasn’t been made as clear what might be waiting for him as I think one can conjecture. The new National Defense Authorization Act—and I’m a plaintiff in a suit to call that act unconstitutional, in terms of its effect on me and on others, a suit that has been successful so far at the district court level and has led to that act being called unconstitutional. But on its face, that act could be used against Julian Assange or Bradley Manning, if he weren’t already in military custody. Julian Assange, although a civilian, and not an American civilian at that, would seem to me, a layman, to be clearly subject to the National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA, putting in military detention for suspicion of giving aid to an enemy, which he’s certainly been accused of by high American officials. I don’t see why he couldn’t be put in indefinite contention, without even the charges that I faced 40 years ago for doing the exact same things that he did.

So what? 99Forever Dec 2012 #1
The portfolio of the EU Home Affairs commissioner includes matters such as Asylum struggle4progress Dec 2012 #3
I think Home Affairs issues the EAW, too. nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #5
Hmmm. Not sure about that. One issue arising in the Assange case was the question struggle4progress Dec 2012 #7
You are right---Sweden did issue the EAW. I wonder if her office coordinates the SIS, then. nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #41
Her office handles Police Cooperation, so circulating notices of the warrant might have been her job struggle4progress Dec 2012 #63
Impressive. 99Forever Dec 2012 #9
A moment ago, you had never heard of her, yet you instantly begin calling her names struggle4progress Dec 2012 #10
Precisely why should I... 99Forever Dec 2012 #28
Because she works for the government, she's automatically 'authoritatian'? randome Dec 2012 #31
Yes tama Dec 2012 #129
Heheheh... SidDithers Dec 2012 #78
This message was self-deleted by its author msanthrope Dec 2012 #4
DU rec...nt SidDithers Dec 2012 #2
A top Equadorian official said he doesn't have to. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #6
The UK is a closer US ally than Sweden. Nye Bevan Dec 2012 #8
Shhhh...that doesn't fit in with the narrative of persecution. You see, we are supposed to believe msanthrope Dec 2012 #46
Exactly. But common sense seems to be often lacking in these discussions. n/t pnwmom Dec 2012 #72
why doesn’t he just go and answer the questions? ..." RomneyLies Dec 2012 #11
Why don't the CIA drone operators turn themselves in to Pakistan or Sudan? Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2012 #14
WTF does that have to do with Assange answering the questions in a court of law? n/t RomneyLies Dec 2012 #15
You said he's not because he fears the law. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2012 #16
You create a man of straw, then knock it down. RomneyLies Dec 2012 #21
What's good for one accused criminal isn't good for another? Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2012 #24
. RomneyLies Dec 2012 #30
Why should they? former9thward Dec 2012 #163
"U.S.Officialswarn about Assange ...Treason" (It's a trap to snare him here for Prosecution) KoKo Dec 2012 #19
There are no charges from the US, nor have any attempts to extradite Assange to the US been made. RomneyLies Dec 2012 #20
Not just Newt...Check out the video.... KoKo Dec 2012 #23
I've watched that crappy video RomneyLies Dec 2012 #29
If you did or had followed the news about Assange you wouldn't have KoKo Dec 2012 #58
Please post when charges are filed RomneyLies Dec 2012 #79
No charges have been filed against Assange in Sweden but you don't seem to have any sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #125
Assange is under a sealed indictment in the US. US is the only one with skin in the game. morningfog Dec 2012 #109
Skull-and-dagger stuff. The spies are all out to get Assange. randome Dec 2012 #112
There have been denials by US officials, I am not sure who or even if they were named. morningfog Dec 2012 #118
Just like Karl Rove was, right?... SidDithers Dec 2012 #113
I wouldn't trust the US governments word on it. morningfog Dec 2012 #117
The credibility of that report is quite iffy, due to its very strange provenance: struggle4progress Dec 2012 #142
Wow. Thanks for putting all that into the proper perspective! randome Dec 2012 #144
I wouldn't trust anyone who cites Politico: morningfog Dec 2012 #167
... As Atlantic associate editor Max Fischer argues, “The group’s reputation struggle4progress Dec 2012 #168
FBI may have known in advance of Stratfor hack struggle4progress Dec 2012 #169
Fake New York Times op-ed a WikiLeaks hoax struggle4progress Dec 2012 #170
OK: I have in #169, #169, and #170 provided you with 8 links showing struggle4progress Dec 2012 #172
How can someone who's not a citizen be labeled a traitor? DJ13 Dec 2012 #55
we are targeting people in other countries that we label "terrorists" with Drone Attacks KoKo Dec 2012 #59
I'm sure he's (quietly) labeled by DC as a terrorist DJ13 Dec 2012 #61
Doesn't matter in the "end" though does it? KoKo Dec 2012 #70
If the US wanted him so badly why didn't they simply extradite him from Britain pnwmom Dec 2012 #73
Because Obama is a very clever President and he's playing Cat and Mouse with Assange KoKo Dec 2012 #76
. RomneyLies Dec 2012 #80
Go to Sweden and answer the questions -- Worst legal advice ever. SDjack Dec 2012 #12
So, Sweden should somebody to question him in the embassy. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2012 #13
UK courts have found Sweden wants Assange in order to prosecute him and have ruled struggle4progress Dec 2012 #18
Daniel Ellsberg: "Assange has every reason to be wary that the real intent here is to whisk him Zorra Dec 2012 #17
Hmm ... leaking govt secrets ... good ... accused rapist, bad Bake Dec 2012 #22
President Clinton was accused of rape also...Dem President...good...accused rapist, Zorra Dec 2012 #25
Not by a court, he wasn't. randome Dec 2012 #26
And THAT is a huuuuuge difference. Bake Dec 2012 #27
What charges?? There are no charges. You are taking a false claim made by someone who sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #38
And you have been told time and time and time, etc etc how things work in sweden Bodhi BloodWave Dec 2012 #57
Neiter was Assange. Care to post the 'court CHARGES' here? The world has been waiting sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #33
It's been told to you multiple times, too. randome Dec 2012 #37
But, Randome, isn't your primary motivation here to see Julian prosecuted by the Zorra Dec 2012 #42
Because we don't think rapists should get away with rape?... SidDithers Dec 2012 #45
Please list the 'rape' charges against Assange. Thank you! sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #52
See #57... SidDithers Dec 2012 #64
How charming, you post on DU, a US Democratic Political site and accuse Americans of sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #81
Oh ffs... SidDithers Dec 2012 #83
Yes, FFS. Your words, despicable words to say to Americans on an American site. If you do sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #85
I don't have disdain for Americans, plural. Just for one very specific American... SidDithers Dec 2012 #86
Your words were clear. We are used to such comments, but generally considering the sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #90
Yes, my words were very clear... SidDithers Dec 2012 #91
You assigned the word 'Rapist' to Assange. I asked you to list the charges because to have that sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #93
Assange fled jurisdiction from Sweden to the UK, before being taken into custody... SidDithers Dec 2012 #94
Wrong, he did not 'flee'. Another distortion of the facts. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #96
You forgot Rove and Pinochet... SidDithers Dec 2012 #97
Wrong, he did the exact opposite of 'flee' and whoever told you what his attorney sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #98
I suggest you read the Findings of Facts and Reasons... SidDithers Dec 2012 #100
The NY Times. This is such old news. Are you only finding this now? sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #108
That's not the NY Times... SidDithers Dec 2012 #111
It's not your decision nor mine to decide if someone lied. randome Dec 2012 #115
Yes, let the courts make that decision. But the Prosecutor does not want this case to go to sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #122
He didn't flee. NCTraveler Dec 2012 #137
*sigh* oh, Sid, Sid.... Zorra Dec 2012 #54
sigh.......+1 KoKo Dec 2012 #60
Could you describe the evidence you've seen that Assange is a Rapist? KoKo Dec 2012 #71
Here's why, "Koko". A sleeping woman is unable to give consent... SidDithers Dec 2012 #77
Thank you Sid...this means a lot to see you finally put out your thoughts, here. KoKo Dec 2012 #92
And that woman refused to sign the police report alleging just what you have posted. She sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #99
Un-fucking-believable... SidDithers Dec 2012 #102
Um no. You should not do this to yourself. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #114
Who is 'we'? Is there a cabal I should know about? randome Dec 2012 #116
Keep typing, sabrina. Your voluminous screeds get more and more entertaining... SidDithers Dec 2012 #119
Thanks for your cooperation. Those voluminous screeds were not for you. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #121
Why would you want to parse a court case in Sweden? randome Dec 2012 #104
Wait, did you just say 'preconceived notions NOT in relation to yourself'? sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #123
Why do I support the court system deciding this case? randome Dec 2012 #124
And once again, because you keep missing it for some reason. The Prosecutor has the sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #126
I love that pic Sid. Tarheel_Dem Dec 2012 #127
Because I think he's wrong here. randome Dec 2012 #66
If you think he's wrong here...then please give an explantion of your views KoKo Dec 2012 #74
One thing I do know is that I am not 'pure' enough to judge this case. randome Dec 2012 #107
I know how the Swedish Court operates. And you KNOW how it operates because I have sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #47
Too bad Assange's attorneys in the UK didn't know all this. They might have argued it in court. nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #67
Too bad he had to fire his attorney for his egregious mishandling of the case. However, sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #82
Which attorney was this? nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #88
Maybe because they want to arrest him. randome Dec 2012 #68
She had every opportunity to arrest him for two years, she declined. Which you know because sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #84
Couple of Articles about ASSANGE...rape, DNA, more allegations...etc. here: KoKo Dec 2012 #95
It's neither your business nor mine to pick apart the details of a Swedish court case! randome Dec 2012 #105
Given the circumstances why then doesn't Sweden just arrange a video hearing with Assange? Ya Basta Dec 2012 #32
UK courts have found Sweden wants Assange in order to prosecute him and have ruled struggle4progress Dec 2012 #34
Why haven't they charged him in more than two years? Why did they lie when they falsely sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #36
+1000 Ya Basta Dec 2012 #40
It all went through the UK courts, for a year and a half. Assange's lawyers argued rather along the struggle4progress Dec 2012 #49
Where are the charges? And why did the Prosecutor lie about being able to take the sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #51
UK courts have found Sweden wants Assange in order to prosecute him for rape struggle4progress Dec 2012 #103
Assange would be answering Swedish prosecutor's questions in Swedish court's via video link Ya Basta Dec 2012 #39
You're welcome to try to get everyone to change their understandings of extradition, so struggle4progress Dec 2012 #43
They can't arrest him via video link hack89 Dec 2012 #139
Because as even their extremist attorney has admitted, they have no case. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #35
Its a shame some folks can't see that Ya Basta Dec 2012 #44
Some people, in this thread, do know these facts yet continue to misrepresent them. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #50
Yes!!! ^^^This^^^. Many inquiring minds of DU want to know. Zorra Dec 2012 #56
This is the European Arrest Warrant, detailing the offences Sweden seeks answers to: msanthrope Dec 2012 #65
The prosecutor lied when she claimed she could not interview sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #87
Is this what Julian Assange testified to? Can you cite it from testimony of other witnesses? nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #89
Testified? To what? sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #130
Your allegations that the prosecutor lied. Was this presented in the British courts msanthrope Dec 2012 #132
It all went through the UK courts, for a year and a half. Assange's lawyers argued rather along the struggle4progress Dec 2012 #48
There was never any need for extradition. The Prosecutors lied, and when a Prosecutor sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #53
Your claim "British Courts refused extradition for Pinochet" shows how careless you are about facts struggle4progress Dec 2012 #69
"shows how careless you are about facts" Tarheel_Dem Dec 2012 #128
Still obsessed with this losing position, I see. n/t Egalitarian Thug Dec 2012 #62
I'm still hoping that there will be some defense of the "losing position." I've asked.. KoKo Dec 2012 #75
The Manning Trial is going on. My twitter feed tells me the propaganda against Assange has sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #101
+1 KoKo Dec 2012 #135
Remember, just because you're paranoid NashvilleLefty Dec 2012 #106
He's not even claiming there are charges in the U.S. randome Dec 2012 #110
'Give himself up'. For what? He has never been charged. You don't give yourself up sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #120
Right... Iggy Dec 2012 #134
There is a Swedish arrest warrant for Assange, that predates the struggle4progress Dec 2012 #143
I'm Supposed to Believe... Iggy Dec 2012 #161
Man, 3 days of raging flamewars about attitudes on rape, cemaphonic Dec 2012 #131
Part of it, IMO, is hero worship. randome Dec 2012 #133
Your statement is quite revealing about your views. Interesting. n/t KoKo Dec 2012 #136
A very enlightening statement from you. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #145
I tend not to hero worship at all. randome Dec 2012 #151
Ah, the old THIRD WAY "hero worship strawman" meme once again. Do y'all have an old list of Zorra Dec 2012 #149
'Once again'? I thought it was my own idea. randome Dec 2012 #150
Really? Oh, why no, not at all! Just check out this 2 yr old thread from struggle4progress! Zorra Dec 2012 #156
Oh, my God. I am found out! randome Dec 2012 #157
It's nothing personal. I even call out my oldest, closest friends when they are trying to bullshit Zorra Dec 2012 #159
I get you. randome Dec 2012 #160
It is totally disgusting to use an alleged sexual assault as a vehicle for attacking an Zorra Dec 2012 #138
I could not agree more. But isn't standard to use Women and Rape to try to emotionally sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #146
Using sexual assault as subterfuge is thoroughly revolting, whether it is used by posters Zorra Dec 2012 #152
Yes, and that CIA memo shows that elements in our own government sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #155
Kick... SidDithers Dec 2012 #140
Shore and it is, me matey! randome Dec 2012 #141
Yes it is, and you contributed so much to it yourself. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #147
Go back to watching Law and Order, sabrina. You're out of your depth... SidDithers Dec 2012 #148
As FDR said, and I have to say I have always judged myself the same way, about those who sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #153
I don't think anyone on this thread hates Assange. Or you or anyone else. randome Dec 2012 #158
Now Sid...you realize that's "borderline" for an Alert...but, some of us feel it's KoKo Dec 2012 #162
If you think it's worth an alert... SidDithers Dec 2012 #164
Actually you don't know what passive-aggressive means. Bonobo Dec 2012 #186
... SidDithers Dec 2012 #190
Yes, but I wouldn't alert on these gems. It's revealing to see a man who rarely posts anything sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #166
True..some things are not worthy of alert...it's better to read the thread and have KoKo Dec 2012 #179
... SidDithers Dec 2012 #180
It's Okay Sid...I still believe that your persona is not what it appears... KoKo Dec 2012 #182
I don't particularly care what you do or don't believe about me... SidDithers Dec 2012 #184
'Evil', Sid. It's what's for breakfast! randome Dec 2012 #185
Might have to photoshop my avatar... SidDithers Dec 2012 #187
Assange will go to Sweden: diplomats struggle4progress Dec 2012 #154
Lol, I love these predictions. But thanks for reminding me, it's time for another donation sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #165
Australian FOIA Docs confirm Assange "the enemy" In US counter-espionage investigation KoKo Dec 2012 #171
DU has exhaustively combed over September Assangist claims that struggle4progress Dec 2012 #173
A separate release of FOI Docs confirmed by Dept. of Foreign Affairs (AUS) confirmed: KoKo Dec 2012 #174
Again, we need to see the FOI documents themselves, to know what they say struggle4progress Dec 2012 #175
Why won't Sweden agree not to send him to US? Cicada Dec 2012 #176
UK courts have found Sweden wants Assange in order to prosecute him for rape struggle4progress Dec 2012 #177
I read the 99 page PDF Release...It's quite interesting..but the thread is dead KoKo Dec 2012 #181
Assange lost in court again and again, at every level. He lost at Belmarsh, struggle4progress Dec 2012 #183
You didn't read the PDF File..start with #50..and move along.... KoKo Dec 2012 #188
No court system will guarantee anything to someone wanted for questioning and/or arrest. randome Dec 2012 #178
USA wants him to corroborate Bradley Manning in Prison 'til he Dies or Tried for Treason KoKo Dec 2012 #189
Even if you accept that as true, Assange has been through 5 appeals levels. randome Dec 2012 #191
"Obama is our Commander-In-Chief". He cannot abide leakers. No way. KoKo Dec 2012 #192
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