* Britain and Ecuador in standoff over WikiLeaks founder

* Assange holed up in embassy, fears extradition to Sweden

* Britain's options limited, best option to wait - experts

By Mohammed Abbas

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Britain's options in dealing with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are limited and British lawyers and diplomats reckon its best course of action is simply to sit tight and wait.

Assange took refuge at Ecuador's London embassy in June to avoid being extradited to Sweden where he faces questioning over rape allegations. It triggered a diplomatic standoff that turned heated last week when Britain threatened to raid the diplomatic mission and Ecuador granted Assange political asylum.

By prompting Latin American accusations of colonial arrogance, and suggesting a move that may well be illegal and would certainly set a dangerous precedent for its own diplomats, Britain was unwise to make the threat, many legal and diplomatic experts say, however frustrating it finds Ecuador's position.

But Quito's leftist and ardently anti-Washington president Rafael Correa, and Assange himself, who made a first appearance in two months from an embassy balcony on Sunday, also have few options, they argue. So Britain has little to gain from haste.

"I don't think for Assange the possibility of spending months or even years at the Ecuadorean embassy is very attractive," said Francisco Panizza, who studies Latin American affairs at the London School of Economics. "And in a way, Britain has everything to gain by playing the waiting game."

While the 41-year-old Australian anti-secrecy campaigner has won a right to live in Ecuador, he has no obvious way of getting there without being arrested by British police who say they are legally obliged to send him to Stockholm. Britain and Sweden do not accept Assange's view that he is a victim of a U.S. "witch-hunt" and Washington has said it has no interest in the matter.

Last week, Britain said it had a legal right to remove the embassy's diplomatic status and then enter to arrest Assange. But many lawyers question that view and diplomats have said that it would put British envoys at risk of repercussions abroad.

"There's no obvious direct action they can take. I exclude the possibility of their simply barging into the embassy," said Oliver Miles, a former British ambassador to Libya.

He said breaking off diplomatic relations with Ecuador would be more "realistic", but not very attractive, way to resolve an impasse to which the British government says it is seeking a "diplomatic solution" and still "exploring all the options".


GUARANTEE?

One such option could be for Britain to offer a guarantee that Assange will not be extradited from Sweden to the United States. Under international law, Britain must give its consent for someone it has extradited to be sent on to a third country.

However, giving Assange some form of guarantee in advance that Britain would block further extradition may be problematic.

"I don't think that's actually realistic," said Dapo Akande, a lecturer in public international law at Oxford University.

"That would mean Britain would have to give this guarantee in the abstract, without knowing precisely what re-extradition might entail, what evidence might be available and what the precise charges would be," he said. "More likely, I think, is the option of just waiting it out, because it's very difficult to see what Britain's other options are."

A strategy of waiting might be encouraged by Assange's record of falling out with allies. Some journalists, celebrity sympathisers and fellow advocates for freedom of speech have distanced themselves from him after acrimonious disputes.

The former computer hacker is also an unlikely bedfellow for Ecuador's government, which stands accused of trying to muzzle media critics. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists describes Correa's press freedom record as "among the very worst in the Americas".

Craig Barker, a law professor at Sussex University, said both Assange and the Ecuadoreans may tire of each other in time:

"My thinking is that the best way for the Brits to go forward from this is simply to allow Assange to remain in the Ecuadorean embassy until he gets tired of it, the media gets tired of it and the Ecuadoreans get tired of it," he said.

"Depending on Assange's ongoing activities, there may be something that would embarrass them. He isn't the type to stay quiet. He's going to have to keep bringing his case to the media, and the Ecuadoreans will begin to wonder what the benefit is to them."

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  • A masked supporter of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Masked supporters of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. See PA story LEGAL Assange. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • A masked supporter of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Police Officers outside the Ecudorian Embassy in central London, after the British Government has told the Ecuadorian authorities that it believes it can enter its embassy and arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is seeking political asylum. The dramatic development came two months after Assange suddenly walked into the embassy in a bid to avoid being extradited to Sweden where he faces allegations of sexual assault. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA

  • Police Officers outside the Ecudorian Embassy in central London, after the British Government has told the Ecuadorian authorities that it believes it can enter its embassy and arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is seeking political asylum. The dramatic development came two months after Assange suddenly walked into the embassy in a bid to avoid being extradited to Sweden where he faces allegations of sexual assault. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA

  • File photo dated 27/2/2012 of Julian Assange. The UK Government has told the Ecuadorian authorities it believes it can enter its embassy in London and arrest the WikiLeaks founder, who is seeking political asylum in the South American country, sources said. Photo credit: Lewis Whyld/PA

  • A masked supporter of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Police officers outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Police officers outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Members of the media gather outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • Masked supporters of Julian Assange outside the Embassy of Ecuador in Knightsbridge, central London, as the diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation. The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

  • A supporter of Wikileaks founder Julian

    A supporter of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stands with placards outside the Supreme Court in central London on May 30, 2012 ahead of the verdict on Assange's bid to avoid extradition to Sweden. Britain's Supreme Court ruled that Assange can be extradited to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, as it rejected his appeal. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian A

    Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stand with their placards and banners outside the Supreme Court in central London on May 30, 2012 ahead of the verdict on Assange's bid to avoid extradition to Sweden. Britain's Supreme Court ruled that Assange can be extradited to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, as it rejected his appeal. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • A picture shows a portrait of Wikileaks

    A picture shows a portrait of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is taped to a Union Flag outside the Supreme Court in central London on May 30, 2012 ahead of the verdict on Assange's bid to avoid extradition to Sweden. Britain's Supreme Court ruled that Assange can be extradited to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, as it rejected his appeal. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

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    Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's lawyer Gareth Peirce (C) speaks to members of the press outside the Supreme Court in central London on May 30, 2012 following the announcement that Assange had lost his legal bid to avoid extradition to Sweden. Britain's Supreme Court ruled that Assange can be extradited to Sweden over alleged sex crimes, as it rejected his appeal. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange demonstrate outside the UK Supreme Court following Mr Assange's extradition appeal on May 30, 2012 in London, England. The Supreme Court's president Lord Phillips explained that the judgement against Mr Assange's appeal against his extradition to Sweden to face accusations of sex offences, was reached by a majority of five to two, meaning that Assange can be extradited. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange attends

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  • (FILES) In a file photo taken on Februar

    (FILES) In a file photo taken on February 27, 2012, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange talks during a press conference in central London. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is planning to run for election to the Australian Senate, the organisation announced on March 17, 2012 on Twitter. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT / FILES (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images)

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Julian Assange (C), the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-blowing website, leaves the Supreme Court on February 02, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange is appearing in court for his final UK appeal against his extradition to Sweden, where he is sought for questioning over alleged sex crimes. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Wikileaks founder Julian Assange arrives

    Wikileaks founder Julian Assange arrives for the second day of a two day hearing at the Supreme Court in central London, on February 2, 2012. Assange took his extradition fight to Britain's Supreme Court on Wednesday, arguing that sending him to Sweden to face rape allegations would breach legal principles dating back 1,500 years. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Has His Extradition Case Heard At The Supreme Court

    LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Julian Assange (2nd R), the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-bowing website, leaves the Supreme Court on February 01, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange is appearing in court for his final appeal against his extradition to Sweden, where he is sought for questioning over alleged sex crimes. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (C) lea

    Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (C) leaves the Supreme Court in central London on February 1, 2012 on the first day of his appeal against extradition. Assange took his fight against extradition to Britain's Supreme Court On February 1, arguing that sending him to Sweden over rape allegations would breach legal principles dating back 1,500 years. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

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    WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (C) arrives at the High Court in London on December 5, 2011 to attend a ruling in his long-running fight against extradition to Sweden. Assange was on December 5 granted permission to apply to England's highest court in a final attempt to block his extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF CADDICK (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images)

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    WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (R) leaves the High Court in London on December 5, 2011 where he attended a ruling in his long-running fight against extradition to Sweden. Assange was on December 5 granted permission to apply to England's highest court in a final attempt to block his extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

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  • Wikileaks founder Julian Assange speaks

    Wikileaks founder Julian Assange speaks at a press conference at City University London in central London on December 1, 2011. Along with a number of other guest speakers, Assange spoke of the whistle-blowing site's ongoing investigation of surveillance software companies and their alleged use by governments around the world. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • (FILES) A file photo taken on November 2

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  • Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Has His Extradition Case Heard At The Supreme Court

    LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Julian Assange (R), the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-bowing website, embraces Vaughan Smith, the founder of the Frontline Club who has personally stood surety for Mr Assange, as he arrives at the Supreme Court on February 1, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange is appearing in court for his final appeal against his extradition to Sweden, where he is sought for questioning over alleged sex crimes. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

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    Wikileaks founder Julian Assange stands in front of a selection of inverted banking company logos as he speaks to journalists during a press conference at the Frontline Club in central London, England on October 24, 2011. Assange was announcing that due to financial blocks introduced by Bank of America, Visa, Mastercard, Paypal and Western Union, Wikileaks has lost 95% of it's revenue. With funds running low, the organisation has decided to suspend it's publishing operations to begin a period of fundraising and legal fighting to remove the blocks to donation channels. AFP PHOTO/ LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • John Pilger

    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)

  • Press photographers take photographs of supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, as they sit 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)

  • Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sit 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 British police officer stands guard outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. WikiLeaks founder Julian 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 about his plea for asylum. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

  • Members of the media gather across the street from the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. WikiLeaks founder Julian 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 about his plea for asylum would be made. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

  • A British police officer stands guard outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, Friday, June 22, 2012. WikiLeaks founder Julian 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 about his plea for asylum would be made. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

  • Ecuador's President Rafael Correa gestures during a press conference in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, June 21, 2012. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange acknowledged Thursday that he doesn't know whether Ecuador will approve his unusual plea for political asylum, as he spent a third night inside the country's London embassy. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

  • Demonstrators protest outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, London, Thursday June 21, 2012. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange entered the embassy on Tuesday in an attempt to gain political asylum. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)

  • Sarah Saunders

    Sarah Saunders leaves after talking to media outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, London, Thursday June 21, 2012. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange entered the embassy on Tuesday in an attempt to gain political asylum. Sarah Saunders contributed money towards the bail of Julian Assange. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)