WikiLeaks and US diplomatic cables

Spy Games

This must be really embarrassing for the US. Backbreaking too. A nation that has always been on the offensive suddenly finds itself in the midst of a 'diplomatic' predicament.

The US broke all rules of engagement (not that it cared) when it invaded Iraq in 2003 on the pretext of WMDs, finds it acceptable to detain suspects on the pretext of risk to national security, violation of human rights, Guantanamo bay etc... In all these instances its stance was not questioned by the foreign governments (except Iran), and in most cases it was supported and sometimes legalized by the judiciary.

This is something different- espionage. No country likes it when they are at the receiving end of the bargain. And getting spied upon will not go too well with its leaders and politicians. It's something like this: you enjoy watching a good fight, but tortuous if you the one in it and getting beaten up.

A cable sent by Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State, in July 2009 asks diplomats to spy on state officials as well as UN officials. Information were to be passed over containing

Office, organizational titles; names, position titles and other information on business cards; numbers of telephones, cell phones, pagers and faxes; compendia of contact information, such as telephone directories (in compact disc or electronic format if available) and e-mail listings; internet and intranet "handles", internet e-mail addresses, web site identification-URLs; credit card account numbers; frequent flyer account numbers; work schedules, and other relevant biographical information.

Apart from the above information requested, Ms Clinton also requested other sensitive information from UN offices.

Since these documents cannot be refuted by the State department, they have turned their offensive against their biggest headache- Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

A senior US defence official said lawyers from across US government agencies are studying whether it might be possible to prosecute Assange under the Espionage Act.

He said lawyers are trying to determine whether the Espionage Act applies in this case, what individuals it might apply to and whether it's possible to use it against the WikiLeaks organisation.

Eric Holder, the US Attorney General, said on Monday that there is an "active and ongoing criminal investigation," and that the website's chief would be pursued if he were found to have broken the law.

The White House branded those who released the documents "criminals, first and foremost," but so far US authorities have publicly filed no charges against Assange.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, called the release by WikiLeaks "an attack on the international community", adding that WikiLeaks acted illegally in posting the material. Rather, it was a revelation to the world – The dirty games US plays on other nations and the bully that it is.

Meanwhile, Assange from an undisclosed location said that Clinton must resign if it were to be proved she had asked to carry out espionage activities.