In UK Threat to Ecuador, Experts See Mistake

[Hissyspit]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/uk-threat-ecuador-experts-mistake-17028638

In UK Threat to Ecuador, Experts See Mistake

By RAPHAEL SATTER Associated Press
LONDON August 17, 2012 (AP)

- snip -

Experts and ex-diplomats say Britain's Foreign Office, which warned Ecuador of a little known law that would allow it to side-step usual diplomatic protocols, messed up by issuing a threat it couldn't back up.

"It was a big mistake," said former British ambassador Oliver Miles. "It puts the British government in the position of asking for something illegitimate."

- snip -

The Ecuadoreans were outraged by the notes, accusing Britain of threatening to assault their embassy and calling a crisis meeting of the Union of South American Nations. The ripples from the controversy continued to spread Friday, with Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying in a brief message posted to Twitter that the issue raised questions about diplomatic protections.

Britain's Foreign Office insists its missive was "not a threat," something that Miles dismissed with a laugh. "If I tell you, 'I'm not threatening you but I DO have a very large stick here,' it's a question of semantics," he said.

MORE AT LINK[p]

[The Magistrate]

1. 'Mistake' Does Not Begin to Cover It, Ma'am....

Stupidity above and beyond the call of duty, well in excess of that normally expected of an English politician in performance of his duty....