WikiLeaks exposure:

Indictment on American society

Special correspondent

The persecution of whistle blower website WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by the US for his disclosure of classified information revealing the cloak and dagger methods of Uncle Sam has been condemned across the world by those who truly value freedom of speech and expression.

There had been demonstrations in countries such as the Netherlands, Spain and Peru and he has also been conferred with several awards for upholding freedom of expression. He has already gained iconic status for single handedly exposing the hidden underbelly of US diplomatic intrigue.

Here is a case of an individual who in the true spirit of freedom of speech and free expression and the right to information - all cherished concepts of US society hounded and penalized like a common criminal only after he revealed the shenanigans of the US State machinery thus negating and debunking all such valued concepts.

Unpalatable as they may be the US instead of killing the messenger should give into a degree of introspection and come to terms with the bitter truth that it does not practice what it preaches to the world at large.

Killing the messenger

Assange is now languishing in a London jail awaiting extradition to Sweden to face ‘rape allegations’ in what is a clear attempt at killing the messenger.

Where is the transparency by which the US always lays great store? It never tires of enjoining countries such as Sri Lanka on the need for transparency, good governance and what not.

Then why react this way when exposed? What Assange has done is to shed light on the whole US subterranean network of conspiracy and intrigue. He will no doubt be hailed as an iconic figure by those true upholders of freedom of expression who exposed the mighty superpower and bared its duplicity and double speak.

The US which never tires of preaching the value of freedom of speech and democracy to poor third world countries and even go to the extent of linking aid to the adherence to such concepts has today cut a sorry figure hoist by its own petard. What WikiLeaks has exposed may only be the tip of the iceberg.

Sovereign nations

There is no knowing the extent to which it has made inroads into the structures of states undermining their sovereignty and independence.

For the material that is now in the public domain indicates a clear interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. Not only that. It has gone on to undermine diplomatic relations and also for US motives to be viewed with suspicion and reservations from here on.

Sri Lanka which has time and again come under the tongue lashing of Uncle Sam for alleged denial of free expression and democratic rights no doubt owes a sense of gratitude to Julian Assange for unravelling the true nature of US policy.

Hopefully this would make the mighty super power turn the searchlight inwards from now on before sermonizing to countries such as Sri Lanka on how to conduct their affairs.

Wikileaks exposure of some 250,000 classified document cables between US diplomats from all over the world and state orders from the US Government has not only opened a can of worms but also places the US Government in an awkward position vis a vis its diplomatic credentials. (According to WikiLeaks the dossier has 3,166 memos sent by the US Embassy in Colombo to the US State Department)

Right to privacy

For it is the US Government’s proud boast that diplomacy is the cornerstone of its relations with nations.

How this latest revelation accords with such a claim will no doubt be put to the test.

According to some of the leaked documents published by WikiLeaks American authorities gave orders to spy on some top foreign officials including the UN Secretary General which involved gathering information about their bank accounts.

This from a country which holds aloft principals such as the right to privacy among a slew of other human liberties. This shows the extent to which the tentacles have spread even into such autonomous bodies as the UN.

How the Secretary General who frequently calls for accountability from member states of their dealings will respond to this will be interesting indeed.

Freedom of expression has always been the hallmark of American society. The WikiLeaks founder’s exposure in that context has not only unravelled the US administration’s diplomacy but also compromised its citizens thus shattering the foundation on which American society is based.

In that respect he has performed an invaluable service by unmasking the whole US system. In future all its proclamations of human rights, freedom of expression, individual liberties and natural justice etc would be viewed with grave reservations by the world at large.

In this respect the founder of WikiLeaks Julian Assange has done a world of good that may even redefine relations between the US and the rest of the nations.