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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Coming: WikiLeaks that may harm relations with some countries

The Obama administration is warning U.S. allies about the latest upcoming release of classified documents by the online whistleblower group WikiLeaks, which may contain diplomatic cables with sensitive information that may harm relations with some countries or put U.S. diplomats at risk.
 
WIkiLeaks has touted the release — which may come this weekend — in its Twitter feed, describing it as "7X the size of the Iraq War Logs," and saying "the Pentagon is hyperventilating again over fears of being held to account." 

U.S. officials fear the documents may already be in the hands of news organizations which have worked with WikiLeaks in the past, such as the New York Times, Germany's Der Spiegel and The Guardian in Britain.

'We continue to make clear that this is harmful to our national security. It does put lives at risk. It does put national interests at risk," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters Wednesday.
"These revelations are harmful to the United States and our interests. They are going to create tension in our relationships between our diplomats and our friends around the world. We wish that this would not happen. But we are, obviously, prepared for the possibility that it will."

Crowley said the cables WikiLeaks may possess "involve discussions that we’ve had with government officials, with private citizens. They contain analysis. They contain a record of the day-to-day diplomatic activity that our personnel undertake." He said their release would undermine the trust between the United States and other countries —- and put lives at risk.

The Canadian Broadcasting Company reported Wednesday that the Canadian goverment had been warned of the release by Washington. (Continues here)

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