WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange committed the worst possible crime, but it's not the one that the U.S. government wants to prosecute him for. His most serious offense isn't the theft or publication of thousands of documents, but the loss of face he has caused for some very powerful people.
Hillary Clinton has vowed to vigorously investigate and prosecute those responsible, but who is really to blame? Julian Assange published the documents, and it may be possible to prove he had some complicity in the theft, but he has no responsibility for the lapses in security, and he certainly wasn't the author of these documents.
Australia's foreign minister has said the US is to blame for the release of thousands of diplomatic cables on Wikileaks, not its Australian founder, Julian Assange. He went on to say that these leaks throw into question the state of American security. Mr. Rudd certainly isn't the only one who feels that WikiLeaks is being used to divert attention from those who should be taking at least some of the responsibility for this diplomatic disaster. There appears to be at least as much support for Julian Assange as for those trying to prosecute him.
Attempts to shut down WikiLeaks only resulted in thousands of mirror sites taking over, and companies cutting off WikiLeaks' funding saw their sites targeted. The American authorities, not surprisingly, labeled those responsible as criminal hackers. Others see their actions as a legitimate protest against government control.
It's convenient to keep the focus on Julian Assange, and away from American liability or criminal wrongdoing. There is a concerted effort to label these leaks as a foreign attack, and even an act of terrorism, but is this an accurate interpretation of the facts, or simply face-saving spin by an embarrassed government?
Julian Assange makes a convenient scapegoat, as a foreigner and head of an organization that operates outside of the United States. American authorities would love to make him the sole villain in this affair.
Is there any reality to the idea that this diplomatic fiasco is entirely the work of a foreign terrorist organization? It is at best a shaky premise. The idea that Julian Assange is a professional spy, who infiltrated American security agencies to make off with thousands of classified documents, is hard to swallow. Branding a website that merely publishes whatever embarrassing information that comes its way a terrorist organization only makes U.S. officials look silly (or desperate).
Article comments
1 - Non-intervention
Good article.
2 - Elizabeth M
He is causing loss of face to someone in Sweden too. Someone with a lot to lose from Wikileaks. Guess who it turns out to be?
3 - John Tourian
It may be embarassing to US to expose its lies and atrocities while claiming to be as sanctimonious as pedofeliac Popes, but people should know the truth, esp how it financed and shielded Israewli atrocities using US-made bombs were delivered with US airplanes! It is shameful how Arab leaders have betrayed Arabs. Since at least 1,948 when Jew US President H. Truman 'created' Israel at the expense of 3 million Palestinians and demonized Arabs, true Christians, Moslems and Easterners, US has given $80 billion/year in AID to Israel and more on top whenever Israel decides to kill more Arabs to steal their land! Since then all US Presidents, but JFK, were 'Christianist' converts from Judaism (Bushes) or have Jew blood in them, including Mr Obama. JFK stated he will change US M.E policy. He was killed by Jew L. Oswald who was shot dead INSIDE Dallas P.D by J. Rubinstein and covered up by Jews LBJ, Nixon, G. Ford, Warren & 12 tribes. Since 1972 when China replaced US puppet Taiwan as 5th UN Veto power, the vast majority of UN Vetoes were cast by US and almost all were to stop UN from condemning genocide-committing 'Chosen' Israel that recently used WMD-s in 02 and 06 Lebanon (cluster, nuclear-clad bunker buster bombs and civilian deaths) and 08 GAZA: white phosphorous, civilian killings and using children as human shields. When will the part Jew US Presidents be just to all, including American 'gentiles' (Jew word for all leprous others)? These US and Jew-made Arab tragedies have been going on for 62 years! When US supports an evil Israel, the US is even more evil!
4 - Ruvy
Politicians have a God-given talent for making bad situations worse, and are well on their way to turning embarrassment into diplomatic disaster.
I wish the American politicians great success in that endeavor. It couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
I won't comment on the comment from John Tourian. He sounds like a fellow who forgot his meds. It happens sometimes....
5 - SimonPeter
Claus Borgstrom a senior Swedish politician appointed himself as lawyer for the twon women - one of which wroye a lovely little self help booklet early in 2010 call 7 Steps to Legal Revenge - a basic guide to framing your ex boyfriend under Swedish law. The younger of the two females has fled Sweden to live in Israel - she wants nothing to do with the prosecutor.
Julian Assange is a journalist in good standing with the Australian media and artists union.
The Swedish allegations are a good old fashioned smear campaign. The paper and cable tv press are turning on Assange because he makes them look bad. They have become a propoganda machine for corrupt States.
What is on the line here is Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press.
Long live Julian Assange.
6 - Raul
Interesting how much this resembles the character assassination of Gov. Don Siegelman by Karl Rove... who just happened to be campaign manager for the new right-wing Swedish government...
Hmmm?
7 - SimonPeter
These two stories from Australia should give the US government pause.
8 - John Lake
It is important and necessary to seek out and expose any impropriety, or appearance of impropriety. To do so serves the cause of truth and justice. Damage done may have been averted, for example, if the American policy of rendition - transport of accused terrorists to be tortured in secrecy - had been disclosed.