http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/30/3079962.htm?site=sydney

Overreaction to the leaked cables on Wikileaks was expected but how accurate or foolish is the implication that the leaks are dangerous to diplomatic relations or to lives of those in Afghanistan and Iraq.

http://www.wikileaks.org/

The interview with whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and the commentary on Democracy Now (in the Wikileaks link) paints a whole different picture. The previous leaks about Afghanistan have proved no troops were at risk from the leaks much of the information being after the event.

As for the latest diplomatic revelations – who would not already be aware that diplomats make behind the scenes comments about foreign leaders. This is the stuff of the real world. Does the public really believe that diplomats are there merely to stroke the egos of other nations, when it is all about vested interests on all sides.

Does it really matter now that we know the US thinks the Australian Government is largely uninfluential in Zimbabwe or that some US diplomat makes disparaging comments about David Cameron or that Gordon Brown was ‘unstable’ (very funny if you think this from the land of Bush, Cheney and the Tea Party).

What do others think?

Are these leaks damaging to international relations or merely a storm in a tea cup and nothing more than just some short-term embarrassment?

I reckon it is mostly a good thing for democracy and reveals the reality behind political decision making which is something we should all have access to in a democracy. Thus far the information leaked has not been deemed dangerous to troops on the ground.

I'm finding this whole saga absolutely fascinating, with most of the interesting stuff "between the lines", so to speak.

Why did the various authorities not take the opportunity they were given to redact the material they felt bad about? One has to assume that they recognized that the material, although somewhat titillating to the public at large, was actually harmless.

I doubt if any of the opinions expressed came as a surprise to their targets. And if the countries concerned had even the most amateurish spy service, they would have had access to this stuff on the day that it was written.

I suspect the overall narrative is simple. Let him have his moment in the sun. We'll take a look at public opinion and see whether we i) can use it as an excuse to clamp down on this sort of thing, perhaps with a whacking great jail sentence (if not for spying, then for rape, or something), or whether ii) the public becomes bored with it all, and it rapidly becomes a non-story.

As for Wikileaks itself, I think they made a big mistake in dumping so much at one time. It would have been better policy, on both occasions, to release the less-than-one-percent of it that is in any way interesting to the general public.

I think they are doing - sorry, were doing - a grand and necessary job. It remains to be seen whether they have now holed themselves below the waterline.

The biggest problem I see, and I noticed this last time too, is that Wikileaks and David Assange are the story. Not the actual leaks, which seem to get quickly glossed over and lost in the hyperactive news cycle.

Well I think Wikileaks is probably one of the single most important entitites in the world right now- even more important than Google (partly because Google is rubbish these days).

The diplomatic revelations are of utmost importance, as the use of such underhand deals and lobbying of national leaders by other national leaders, and attempts to implement spies, should cast a much needed light on activities which are quite serious.
I am especially interested to find in today's paper reporting the leaks (though I had my suspicions) that Saudi Arabia's demanding was the main force pushing for America's sanctions and hostility towards Iran.
Hopefully things like this might stop the wrong parties from being framed or scapegoated.

If anything it might HELP world stability now that countries are forced to clean up their acts and cannot discretely organize others to do their dirty work or take falls on their behalf without being caught.

Hopefully more people will get involved, and more countries that are actually honest and independent will stand behind it.

Ooops I meant Julian Assange. Dunno why I called him David.

Pelican:

In this case I suspect it's just a storm in a teacup and I am surprised that the US is reacting to it so seriously, as you pointed out the information that's being provided is nothing new or of any real value. It's merely giving a platform to Iran.

I'm sure that China with its government-sponsored hacking program is capable of extracting more vital information beneficial to its government that the US is not even aware of. (I can't believe that I've just suggested another "conspiracy theory.") ;-)

I dunno, there's something fishy about all of this. This Assange guy seems to be too easily getting the info and too easily getting away with releasing it.

For those that are interested, here is a good site with live updates as to the released info.
http://newsnow.co.uk/h/Hot+Topics/WikiLeaks

This in my opinion is not good for us plebs, it's being done with government blessing I reckon.

It is a fascinating story.
I imagine that Mr Assange would
find it difficult to take out a
life insurance policy at the moment.

I can't wait for the movie.

That is quite likely Rawmustard- that governments have since learned that they can take advantage of Wikileaks to publish what they would WANT the world to know their stance is outside the PC 'official' declarations (like insulting heads of state who would potentially be in opposition to the government in question- like criticizing the Italian PM's relationship with Putin, and calling their enemy, the Iranian President, as someone comparable to Hitler.

Of course, I don't really believe all the contents of this leak are things that the governments would want leaked (but I could imagine plenty working for the government and not liking it for either their own political (or moral) purposes leaking those instead (Hilaries UN Spies, Guantanamo repatriation bribes, and Saudi Arabia pushing for an Iran invasion are very much scandalous to the core- though they're all 'known'- they're hardly mainstream knowledge and little more than well-founded assumptions).

I just hope people pay attention to this.

Pericles, King Hazza
Agree completely with your comments so far. It is interesting to watch each release with relevant news unfolding. The Saudi Arabian content is unsurprising but as said, scapegoating and mealy mouthedness about participation in certain world events is easily discerned in some of the material.

mikk
I suspect it is a ploy of governments to focus the issue around Assange rather than the reports themselves - the more they make him out to be a criminal the more credibility he gains.

Lexi
Agree, China is known for its quite blatant attempts at espionage - they don't even hide it. Ask any senior public servant who is a visitor to their shores. Why bother hiding something of which we are all aware - at least they don't wrap it up in pretty pink ribbon they just get on with their business. :)

Raw Mustard
I would imagine most of the stuff is information the government would not want leaked but Wikileaks would be an ideal resource as KH wrote to reveal information without actually having to reveal oneself - especially if diplomacy was at stake.

talisman
A movie would be great. Who would play Assange? My pick would be Paul Bettany - he is a good actor and looks a bit like Assange even with the white hair.

It is laughable that the US Government in particular is creating such a ruckus when they had no such hesitation in revealing one of their own CIA agents for political purposes.

Long live Wikileaks.

here's a good one a found out when it came out. real interesting to read all this stuff. wonder what the future holds.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333934/WikiLeaks-The-revelations-glance.html

The more I see of the leak list, the more like a gossip column it becomes.

So far, this is my favourite piece of "secret information":

"Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is labelled 'feckless, vain and ineffective as a modern European leader'."

An opinion that you can read practically every week in that top-secret file, the Economist.

It really is banal. Here's The Register's take:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/29/wikileaks_diplomatic_yawn/

Their summary:

"Get a grip, people. We were never going to learn very much of substance from diplomatic cables, as diplomats are merely ornaments, the eunuchs in the room. If you want secrets that show something about power, you want to hear from the people who arrange the hit squads - not the people who arrange the cocktail parties."

I'm beginning to firm up on the "let's pretend to be outraged" theory.

And thanks for link to the Daily Mail article, jinny. When I took their informal poll a few minutes ago...

"Is Wikileaks right to publish documents that could threaten national security?"

Exactly 50% each, for "yes" and "no".

Nothing to see here, people, except to enjoy and analyze the "reactions" of the various parties named/involved.

Agree Pericles. Much of it is back room idle diplomatic chatter made public - nothing that should concern anyone as regards national security.

I suspect a few of the observations as in Jinny's link might have more impact as regards general perceptions regarding terrorism and who wants to attack whom.

It may not be all that innocent.
One item refers to the Iranian champion cyclist, not by name but his
winning event who provided some info or something.
That could be fatal in a place like Iran.

Actually Pericles I would disagree with (that mentioned comment) about it not being serious;
There are a lot of considerable benefits in the diplomatic sphere from these leaks- not the least of these are countries wasting efforts and resources pursuing diplomatic dead-ends with countries that really have not much place in policy to work with them, and of course the domestic concern in many nations that their presidents or PMs are taking bribes from other countries to agree to some rather adverse policy (like the USA bribing the national leaders of Slovenia or of the Caribbean nations to take Guantanamo inmates).

And of course the finger-pointing at the wrong culprits for wrongdoings (The US drone attack and the anti-Iranian lobbying).

Hmm, my spidy censors are in overdrive over this one, something stinks.

Sarah Palin had these questions for the Obama administration:
Not that I'm a Palin supporter, sorry, Al :)
But she does raise some interesting questions.

"""
First and foremost, what steps were taken to stop Wikileaks director Julian Assange from distributing this highly sensitive classified material especially after he had already published material not once but twice in the previous months? Assange is not a “journalist,” any more than the “editor” of al Qaeda’s new English-language magazine Inspire is a “journalist.” He is an anti-American operative with blood on his hands. His past posting of classified documents revealed the identity of more than 100 Afghan sources to the Taliban. Why was he not pursued with the same urgency we pursue al Qaeda and Taliban leaders?

What if any diplomatic pressure was brought to bear on NATO, EU, and other allies to disrupt Wikileaks’ technical infrastructure? Did we use all the cyber tools at our disposal to permanently dismantle Wikileaks? Were individuals working for Wikileaks on these document leaks investigated? Shouldn’t they at least have had their financial assets frozen just as we do to individuals who provide material support for terrorist organizations?

Most importantly, serious questions must also be asked of the U.S. intelligence system. How was it possible that a 22-year-old Private First Class could get unrestricted access to so much highly sensitive information? And how was it possible that he could copy and distribute these files without anyone noticing that security was compromised?
"""

To me, I smell a false flag operation to restrict our internet usage.
Any talk of implementing filters in any democratic country is met with huge cries from the plebs as witnessed when Conroy wanted one here (We were test subjects I reckon) Sure they have released a few juicy bits so they can scream national security, but mostly it's smoko room bulls't and just enough to bring in new rules governing the internet. Obama wants and internet kill switch but probably wants to filter the internet even more than our own Commy, Conroy.
This smells of a classic problem, reaction, solution ploy so well executed by governments all the time.

However, one must remember that only a small percentage of the 2 million or so files have so far been released, so it's anyone guess what they might contain.

His next release is about some big US bank. This is kinda interesting, but I'll wait to see what it contains before say anything else.

The problem with wikileaks publishing all the confidential cables is pretty much the same as publishing anyone's private mail. A lot of what is said in confidence can be very damaging especially out of context.

For example my cousin sent an email to her mum with some snippy comments to her sister. Her mum then replied to her and cc ed her sister forgetting that the old email was appended. The result is much bitterness and a distinct cold war between siblings, and both are now very careful about what they write to their mum.

The impact is very similar for the US diplomats with the real damage being that no one is likely to speak candidly to the US, and diplomats are likely to self censor their internal documents.

The result is all diplomatic activity grinds to a halt.

Considering much of diplomatic activity involves trade, this is a serious piece of economic sabotage.

If Wikileaks restricted himself to exposing abuse, he could claim journalistic integrity, however, this time he and his informers are likely to face the full wrath of the US and its allies. I seriously doubt that Iceland will have the stomach to shelter him after this.

I don't question for a second that governments around the world would stage major attacks on such a website.
Let's be honest. The content is relatively harmless except for the way it shows diplomacy for what it is. Two faced. No one will die from this information, a few diplomats may get some heat but yes a storm in a tea cup.
The issue that it really raises is about honesty and a forthright approach to our neighbours and friends. If we can not tell our friends the truth how can we expect the nations we are trying to develop relationships with to take our view seriously. We complain of other countries deceiving us but we do the same.
In the end it is the moral of the exposure not the content.

Nairbe said;
No one will die from this information, a few diplomats may get some heat but yes a storm in a tea cup.

Sorry but I think that may be wrong. One of the "cables" mentions an
Iranian cyclist as an informer, or source and mentions his championship win. In a country like Iran that could be fatal.

Yes, the Iranian cyclist story may potentially have an adverse effect and not all the cables have been released - what will future leaks reveal. I am not sure if Wikileaks does screen information provided to them with the intent to avoid potential loss of life. So far the leaks have not been assessed as unsafe.

Overall, the leaks reveal some of the nonsense that goes on in diplomatic circles and the level of bribery, wheeling and dealing that sometimes occurs between nations.

Maybe that is the reality of international politics but I don't think there is any negativity in the public being more aware of what goes on behind the scences. In fact exposure may eventually aid in eradicating the worst experiences of corruption or unethical practices. Maybe that is idealistic and people will find more devious ways to cover their tracks but we live in hope.

The emails do not form part of official international policy (although the overall impressions of a leader or a culture, may aid in determining policy). Most appear to be a subjective opinion of a diplomat or staffer written in an informal way.

Calls to arrest Assange or to label him a criminal is way OTT and I cannot see the difference in Assange releasing information or a government who leaks information to their own advantage.

"""
Considering much of diplomatic activity involves trade, this is a serious piece of economic sabotage.
"""

This doesn't seem to be happening, Shadow Minister. Lets look at some of the most damning pieces. China have come forward and openly said they stand by their words re, North Korea. They're quite happy to see reunification under Seoul's control. Saudi Arabia has flatly denied everything, understandable. The rest is just junk talk, really. So some bloke likes girls in a nurse uniform and the other bloke is an old perv showing off to his alpha male mate, whoopdy doo :)

One thing that does stand out, is those that have to gain from all of this. Israel and the US re, Iran. What a great way to make Iran look even more evil in the eyes or their fellow neighbours. But then Iran is not buying any of it. I find it amazing there's absolutely nothing in these docs re, Israel?

The one thing I feel governments fear the most, is an informed public feeding off a real time grape vine. It's absolutely demolishing their carbon dioxide fraud, just to quote one good example.

Even the New York Time refused to publish climate gate emails saying they were obtained illegally, but have no problem publishing illegally obtained sensitive government documents which could pose a threat to national security? Interesting huh? Fishy Huh?

I think it's a good thing. Governments who go about making decisions without public consultation, or who go against world opinion(as in the invasion of Iraq/Afghanistan) shouldn't winge now that we're being told what really goes on. I find it amazing that the US raves on about democracy, but whines because the world is being told what really goes on. When were we asked about the deadly drones going over Pakistan, or the invasion of Yemen last year? The US/NATO think they can treat the people like garbage and get away with it!
The US were going to spy on the Head of the UN - again! Appalling!
Sheer and utter arrogance! Good on Wikileaks! No wonder they're trying to blacken Julian's name! I'd be in fear for my life if I was him?

RM

I see he has been put on the Interpol wanted list.

This makes it difficult for Iceland to shelter him.

Having read all the posts here, I also get a strong feeling that none of you have actually read the documents on the wikileaks site. I get a strong feeling that you guys actually trust the Australian media to report this stuff without bias. Very naive of you all and might I say, very bad form to be seen to be expressing opinions based on ignorance.

I assure you that the Wikileaks site contains more than smarmy comments from smarmy upstarts in the diplomatic corps. The detainee negotiations are discussed, and it reads like a strange slave trading operation where America pays with cash and favours for nations to take the alleged terrorists. The directive to spy, illegally, on the UN is in there. There is summary socio/political analysis presented as background info for upcoming visits and a wealth more to browse. Everyday, just a little bit more is released. It is fascinating reading and truly does give an insight into the American Plutocracy and her foreign policies.

Of course, you can't get to the actually wikileaks site without a proxy, Australian authorities have disabled the site.

From the Wikileaks site:

"As the media organisation has grown and developed, WikiLeaks been developing and improving a harm minimisation procedure. We do not censor our news, but from time to time we may remove or significantly delay the publication of some identifying details from original documents to protect life and limb of innocent people."

US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates has said the leaks are embarrassing but modest as far as risk. The response from leaders has been bland, the most noise coming from the US party machine.

I have read some of the stuff on the site before it was disabled and much of it was idle personal opinons about various leaders/officials and some of it more serious such as spying on the UN.

But is this really news to any of us?

The arrest warrant for Assange is more than just an over-reaction - it is criminal.

One doesn't see many other investigative journalists arrested for writing embarrasing stories. It would be akin to arresting Laruie Oakes for writing articles from inforation derived from leaks including national security assessments about Iraq and WMDs?

The comments coming out likening Assange to a terrorist or being Anti-West are laughable when much of the earlier leaks on Wikileaks were very much focused on corruption in the developing world and there is equally damaging information about Saudi Arabia, China, Africa, North Korea etc.

Seeking greater transparency in government means having access to information. Without it, we continue to live like mushrooms, oblivious to agendas. Why not make agendas public? What is their to hide?

If all nations acted openly and responsibly even if it means putting a nose out of joint here and there, such as refusing to trade with a despot (or similar) or forming alliances with others against despots (just for example), then there exists hope that corruption will be greately reduced and opens the way to get on with the business of governing for the people no matter where they live.

You can still access the site. It is easier if you click on 'Classification' (of document) than on some of the other links.

Maybe there is an overload on the system at times which is slowing up access.

Greg Barns has a good take on this issue
at the ABC Drum Unleashed website:
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/41736.html

There is a bit more telling information on the threat of terrorism in some of the Secret documents but from what I have read nothing that is not already gleaned from media reports about the threat of extremism in France and other European nations. Nor some of the shonky trade deals that are set up behind closed doors. Nothing new there even if the detail is enlightening.

And it should be stressed that it is only an opinion based on information provided and cultural media available to Embassies on the ground.

It is time for a frank and honest discussion about many issues affecting world relations including trade, extremist elements, corporate interests. That can only be a good thing as long as it is done constructively and not as a witchhunt.

http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/classification/1_0.html

I tell you one thing that is truly eye-opening- with the US government's stance of trying to brand him a terrorist and interpol trying to catch him for "rape" (mysteriously a few days after these releases), it truly shows the world which organizations we can trust and which ones are dirty to the core, and use their powers only for selfish dishonest ends, and we (refering to citizens of every relevant country) should demand the abolishment of immediately.

I for one would be terrified to find out that Interpol is more concerned about a guy exposing government corruption to the point of pinning up gross false charges, than they are about, you know, terrorist groups and Hizn Ut Tahir crawling over most of Europe.

Posted by George Jetson, Wednesday, 1 December 2010 8:18:20 PM
I admit to not going on to the site, but after following the US 'methods' over 30+ yrs, none of this surprises me.After what they've done in Latin America and other countries - invading/occupying over 45 since the end of WW2,I'm glad that the truth of their ruthless exploits, mass murders and horrific human rights abuses are coming to light.

People could read, 'American Torture';books about the Bush family; Guantanamo Bay including those who were released?;"Raising my Voice' by Malalai Joya, a young Afghani woman who's recently been in Australia on a speaking tour, about what the US/NATO forces, including us, are doing in her country. There's Diego Garcia,where the British forced the inhabitants off this island at gunpoint,and the US uses it for their take-off for war planes and ships. The whole picture is one of cold blooded murder for "US interests"?

NO wonder they want to get rid of Julian Ass. - I'd be watching my back, what I ate and drank etc - and whose company I keep?

here's another one, got it quite a while ago but no time to update here.. don't know if you hv read but might be interesting for you(regarding Wikileaks of course):

http://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1LAVF_enAU394AU394&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=INTERPOL+has+made+public+the+Red+Notice,+or+international+wanted+persons+alert,+for+WikiLeaks+founder+Julian+Assange

dang... sorry, should've read throughly before i posted the last one. of course your internet is being controlled... duh. how else are we going to me kept under controlled?

The site does not appear to be working. The latest news on this:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/03/3084384.htm

It would be easy to assume that there is some anxiety about the soon-to-be released documents targetting a major bank, likened to be an 'Enron-sytle meltdown' in the making. No wonder the big end of town is nervous.

http://www.annuitynewsjournal.com/is-wikileaks-targeting-a-u-s-bank-2/

Another take on the whole affair:

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/ignore-the-scaremongering-wikileaks-are-of-global-interest-20101129-18dwo.html

http://213.251.145.96/

A new link to Wikileaks now available.

This is totally beaten up by the media. No one with the slightest connection with the reality on - even if you only read books about it - international relations KNOWS that everyone has varying and mostly suspicious and sometimes potentially 'embarrassing' opinions on each other. It isn't news to anyone other than the media plugging for hits.

Assange is only giving government's further reason to rein in your access to information. He is only damaging the people he is "trying" to inform. Assange is merely a sociopath. He is a troll. Pure and simple. There is nothing that benefits anyone in this wikileaks stuff.

It amuses me that people REFUSE to believe anything other than what this clown tell them.

SIG,

This "clown" has lifted a veil exposing the reality that governs western hegemony in it's dealings between nations. If it's all such a storm in a teacup, then why are the Czars of globalisation falling over themselves and scrabbling about in a desperate attempt to nail Assange with criminal charges?

Robert McClelland had this to say on the subject (my inverted commas):
"We think there are "potentially" a number of criminal charges that "could" have been breached by the release of this information."

Sounds pretty concrete - not!

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/australia-has-abandoned-me-20101204-18kpq.html

''This brings into question what does it mean to be an Australian citizen - does that mean anything at all? Or are we all to be treated like David Hicks at the first possible opportunity merely so that Australian politicians and diplomats can be invited to the best US embassy cocktail parties.''

There is another problem bubbling along under all this.
Assange did not down load the data in the US or Afghanistan using US
facilities. As far as I know he has not been in the US since the cables
were downloaded.

If he put them onto a web server in the UK or in some other country
is that an offense against US law ?

The NSW state government is planning a law to make it illegal for a
couple to go to India and employ a surrogate mother to carry a baby
for them. The practice is not illegal in India. So how can the government
prosecute someone for a practice not illegal in that country ?

I have driven at 150 Km per hour on the autobahn in Germany.
How many points will I lose if the RTA prosecutes me for that ?

Correction - in the Robert McClelland quote above, the word "charges" should have been "laws".

"Czars of globalisation falling over themselves and scrabbling about in a desperate attempt to nail Assange with criminal charges?"

lol That's what the media are telling you, anyway. There's a warrant, in Sweden. Isn't it normal practice to investigate allegations of criminal offences?

What, because he's "Julian Assange" he POSSIBLY have questions to answer? Don't be so naive.

*couldn't POSSIBLY ...

When it comes to Assange rape case, the Swedes are making it up as they go along

by Melbourne barrister James D. Catlin, who acted for Julian Assange in London in October.

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/12/02/when-it-comes-to-assange-r-pe-case-the-swedes-are-making-it-up-as-they-go-along/

Wow, his lawyer thinks he's innocent...

There's some breaking news right there.

Mark Stephens:"Julian Assange has never been charged by Swedish prosecutors. He is formally wanted as a witness."

Mark is his lawyer for this Swede thingi I think.

Although, good point Stg

I follow the good posters, so I ended up here.

Terrorists? Yeah right! They're the one actually fighting for their believe(not saying their actions were right). The news site are so corrupted! I will post up 2 I founf today, one is good for those who understand dutch.

The americans? Did u watch the videos and pictures of wat they did, the so called army personnels? They raped, they tortured, they abused. Great country dat one. Pity the people of the land, they r powerless to do anything for their own land. Dat whole country is so full of corruption they are the laughing stock of the rest of society.

They's bull market is dying, their money is going less in value. How's about the so called wanna be vice president? Rot! All they did was corrupt, caused wars for no reason except their own. All the damaged dat was done to this planet is their fault. The crash is coming soon... Already said by many power houses. I hv heard it from one.. It will come...

http://niburunews.com/

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/nigeria-issue-arrest-warrant-dick-cheney-bribery-case/

burn ur mouse wheels on this

Never before has there been such an attack on journalistic endeavour than the response to the Wikileaks cable leaks. The fact is, due to the failure of whistleblowing protections, sites like Wikileaks and the media provide the only avenue for freedom of information and exposure of corruption.

Once again those who represent us forget who they are working for and the lack of support from Australia for Julian Assange is woeful.

PayPal has apparently shut down access for donations to Wikileaks. I donated a few months ago via PayPal as it one of the safest options for overseas transactions. Perhaps someone from within Wikileaks might advise on how donations can now be made.

Organisations that sabotage Wikileaks might also find themselves on the outer given the support that Wikileaks is receiving all aroud the world from people who are starving for more honesty and transparency in government.

Good on ya for donating Pelican. Why would Paypal do that, they’re just money handlers aren’t they?

http://sify.com/news/paypal-suspends-donations-to-wikileaks-news-international-kmfm4hbefbd.html

Oh, they decided it was illegal?

Australia is being fully shameful, Julia should have spoken to her publicity people before condemning Assange because it always had the potential to come back and bite her if his popularity grew.

Aren't some of our historical national heros murderers?

But transparency seems to scare our own government departments. They spend a lot of time silencing someone voicing an opinion within the law.

Jewely, I think you are right, it is pressure from other sources and a fear of being seen to support 'illegal' practices however and whoever defines or decides on illegality.

Over the years there have been other journalists who have been given access to 'illegal' information on a number of matters including national security and this is the first time there has been such a witch hunt.

It is organisations like Wikileaks that inspire some hope for improved governance in both private and public organisations and it is heartening to see the level of support on the ground even if it is not reciprocated 'officially'.

One wishes our own government would have the backbone to protect Assange from this barrage which are nothing more than political attacks.

While Wikileaks have a backup plan should the website go down I reckon they would be better off revealing the documents related to banking sooner rather than later.

It's not really surprising that Paypal would have had pressure exerted upon it to stop accepting money for Wikileaks.
The string pullers in the service of those who collectively run the global show are hard at work attempting to plug any crack through which the leaks could escape. Every part of the Wikileaks phenomenon is vulnerable which is why the site is encouraging "mirror sites" to give access to the information - and plenty are coming on board because all of a sudden they have discovered that it is possible to circumvent the opaque reality of officialdom.

This mornings Sydney morning Herald is a must read for every one who contributed to this thread.
In fact the next week will be too.
It carries the first of a few new leaks of interest to us.
Rudd American views of him,bound to be headlines by this afternoon.
But within the story are references to Australian public servants/Department officials, even ministers, giving our inside problems to.
American embassy officials.
Wikileaks, if nothing else reminds us country's lie,to one another,spy on one another, politicians we ,come admit it, mostly trusted at one stage are fakes.
Dreadful as it sounds this poor bloke now he is in custody has Buckley's chance.
Front line ex candidates for President in America,, can you believe this? are calling for his death.
Save us from our Friends, tell me how do we know the difference between Hitler and Stalins media management and Americas?

Pelican:

Check this out. I've just come across it and it's a real eye-opener:

http://newmatilda.com/2010/12/08/what-has-really-been-disclosed

By James O'Neill.

An interesting point was raised on the TV tonight.
If the US is going to prosecute Assange for publishing the cables,
then will they also prosecute the newspapers and TV stations that have
also published them ? Hmmmm interesting heh ?

Americas power is awesome, in many ways.
am a an of America, and afraid of them.
This man stole nothing.
He published evidence others took.
Every now and again we say we will protect whistle blowers.
We never do.
Gillard like leaders all over the world, dances at the end of an American string, then, Rudd like,sends Kev out to remind us of basic law.
Is the crime the theft.
Is it the publication.
Or is it those in country's all over the world who had hidden agendas and even lie and deceive us all.
This mornings age newspaper shows the dangerous bending over for America.
How can the world be free if we are to forget both the worst of our enemy's,and our growing resemblance to them?

It looks like the tide has well and truly turned for Ms Gillard in the wake of her hasty condemnation of Julian Assange.
The open letter sent to her is now backed by over 4000 signatories.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/gillard-left-to-face-backlash/story-fn775xjq-1225967930434

Good link Poirot. It is not surprising that Gillard jumped to stroke the ego of the US, the alliance is an important one but real friendships also involve friendly critical feedback when required. AND importantly representation of an Australian citizen at consular level is now reportedley being guaranteed. Australia can be a SOLID ally without lying down on all aspects of US foreign policy. A true friend is an honest one.

Not everyone will agree but I am pleased to see support for Wikileaks is widespread.

No joy for me in seeing Gillard get it so wrong.
I have said it from her first day in power, I do not like her or trust her.
In fact she will go the Rudd way maybe this term.
We need to remind America, it is their words leaked, their wrongs we are hearing about.
And while every country, us too, spy's on every one else, America must face its problems.
ALP fellow Travlers, note please defending Julia will not change growing perceptions , it is in fact the even worse opposition nothing else, keeping us in power.
She can not rally us in time those who oppose my views the most will remove her.

The following may be of interest to some:

http://newmatilda.com/2010/12/09/enough-sausages-assange

by Ben Pobjie.