Ecuador's envoy heads to Quito for Assange talks

A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sits outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. Assange entered the embassy on Monday in an attempt to gain political asylum to prevent him from being extradited to Sweden to face allegations of sex crimes, which he denies. In a telephone interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from inside the embassy, the 40-year-old Australian said he did not know when the decision would be made. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sits outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. Assange entered the embassy on Monday in an attempt to gain political asylum to prevent him from being extradited to Sweden to face allegations of sex crimes, which he denies. In a telephone interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from inside the embassy, the 40-year-old Australian said he did not know when the decision would be made. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

This two picture combo shows from left; a Feb. 1, 2012 file photo of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as he arrives at the Supreme Court in London, and a June 20, 2012 photo of Ecuador's President Rafael Correa during a meeting at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Correa's objections to what he deems American interventionism in Latin America and his delight in Assange's massive uncorking of U.S. secrets appear to have persuaded the WikiLeaks chief that Ecuador offers his best shot at avoiding extradition to Sweden. But four days after Assange ducked into Ecuador's London embassy seeking political asylum, this South American nation's leader has yet to announce a decision. The choice may not be easy. (left photo - AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File; right photo -AP Photo/Victor Caivano, File)

John Pilger, an Australian journalist, broadcaster and documentary maker, talks to members of the media after meeting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, at the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. Assange entered the embassy on Monday in an attempt to gain political asylum to prevent him from being extradited to Sweden to face allegations of sex crimes, which he denies. In a telephone interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from inside the embassy, the 40-year-old Australian said he did not know when the decision would be made. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

LONDON (AP) ? Ecuador's embassy in London said Saturday that ambassador Anna Alban was scheduled to travel to her country's capital for talks on the bizarre request for political asylum made by Wikileaks chief Julian Assange.

Assange took refuge inside Ecuador's embassy on Tuesday, and remains camped out in an office, as his legal options ran out for avoiding extradition from Britain to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning for alleged sex crimes.

Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa has said his government is considering Assange's request, but has not indicated when a decision will be made.

A spokesman for the country's embassy, who requested anonymity to discuss the visit in advance, said Saturday that Alban would travel to Quito this weekend for talks on the matter.

Speaking Thursday from inside the embassy, Assange said he had made his bid for asylum becase the "Ecuadoreans were sympathetic in relation to my struggles." He had previously interviewed Correa, with whom he shares skepticism toward the United States.

Assange has been fighting since 2010 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sexual assaults on two women. Assange denies the claims, and says the case against him is politically motivated.

Both he and supporters insist that if he was sent to Sweden he would then likely become the target of a U.S. request to extradite him there over allegations linked to his leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. documents via the secret-spilling WikiLeaks website.

U.S. soldier, Pfc. Bradley Manning, a 24-year-old from Crescent, Oklahoma, has been charged with aiding the enemy by passing the secret files to WikiLeaks and is awaiting trial.

A Virginia grand jury is studying evidence that might link Assange to Manning, but no action has yet been taken.

"We are hoping what I am doing now will draw attention to the underlying issues," Assange told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio in an interview Thursday.

Correa said his country would discuss the case with both Britain, Sweden and the United States before reaching a final decision.

While inside the embassy, Assange remains outside the reach of British authorities ? but police are poised to arrest him the moment he steps foot outside the building.

Police said Assange will be arrested for breaching the terms of his bail, which included an overnight curfew at a registered address.

Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said Saturday that filmmaker Michael Moore has sent Assange a message of support, urging him not to despair.

Robinson posted an email sent by Moore, among supporters who offered money to meet Assange's 200,000 pounds ($316,000) bail, to her Twitter account.

In the message, sent Wednesday, Moore told the WikiLeaks founder it was a crime "that you even have to seek asylum, and I stand with you through this. Do not despair."

Associated Press

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