On the night of June 11th, 2003, he climbed up to the edge of the fence on the Manhattan Bridge and he leaped to the treacherous waters below.

Fortunately for Assange, a sympathetic president was willing to throw him a lifeline as he floundered in the treacherous waters of international law.

Mr. Abdelaziz (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic) Allow me at the outset to join you, Sir, in expressing our sympathy and solidarity with India in the face of yesterday's heinous terrorist attacks there.

Mr. Sardenberg (Brazil) At the outset, on behalf of Brazil, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the people and to the Government of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who were victimized by the recent dastardly and abhorrent act of terrorism.

His argument that Kosovo should remain an integral part of Serbia, and that Russia is a more natural (Slavic) ally for the Serbs than perfidious Europe, resonates strongly in a country traumatized by its recent past.

Fortunately for Assange, a sympathetic president was willing to throw him a lifeline as he floundered in the treacherous waters of international law. Unfortunately for the movement that he represents, this also means that even the quintessential anarchist journalist, now holed up in Ecuador s embassy in London, needs the protection of a state.