Topic: Vienna Convention

In a retaliatory move following the strip-search of an Indian diplomat in New York, the Indian government ordered the US Embassy in New Delhi to shut down its recreational club. The club, which featured a swimming pool and tennis courts, was deemed in violation of the Vienna Convention because it served non-diplomatic personnel. This escalation has led to the cancellation of high-level diplomatic visits between the two nations.

Former British Ambassador Craig Murray spoke outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, asserting that diplomatic premises are "inviolable" under the 1961 Vienna Convention. Murray criticized the UK government's threat to raid the embassy to arrest Julian Assange as a violation of international law. He argued that such an action would set a dangerous precedent for diplomats worldwide.

The logistical challenges of the Rio Olympics are revisited, focusing on the discrepancy between tourist numbers and available hotel beds. The program concludes with a full recording of Craig Murray's speech defending Julian Assange and the principle of embassy sovereignty. Murray emphasizes that the struggle for Assange's freedom is intrinsically linked to the protection of whistleblowers globally.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the attack on Ambassador Robert Ford, calling it an "inexcusable assault" and part of a campaign of intimidation by the Assad regime. She cites the Vienna Convention's requirement for host countries to protect diplomats. The hosts mock her rhetoric and the scripted nature of the press conference.