“On their own, new technologies do not take sides in the struggle for freedom and progress. But the United States does. We stand for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas. And we recognise that the world's information infrastructure will become what we and others make of it.
This challenge may be new, but our responsibility to help ensure the free exchange of ideas goes back to the birth of our republic. The words of the first amendment to the constitution [guaranteeing freedom of speech] are carved in 50 tons of Tennessee marble on the front of this building. And every generation of Americans has worked to protect the values etched in that stone.” Hilary Clinton writing earlier this year in Foreign Office Review.
Oh Yeah!
Another case of judge them by their actions and not by their words. It is probably a little bit late for so-called ‘executive action’ but there are other ways of damaging someone's reputation and therefore influence.
It's certainly not ‘conspiracism’ to suspect that the CIA has been at work in fomenting these Swedish accusations. "The moment Julian sought the protection of Swedish media law, the CIA immediately threatened to discontinue intelligence sharing with SEPO, the Swedish Secret Service."
In an article by Julian Assange, written before his arrest today, he wrote, “The US diplomatic cables reveal some startling facts: The US asked its diplomats to steal personal human material and information from UN officials and human rights groups, including DNA, fingerprints, iris scans, credit card numbers, internet passwords and ID photos, in violation of international treaties.”
“Britain's Iraq inquiry was fixed to protect "US interests".
“Sweden is a covert member of NATO and US intelligence sharing is kept from parliament.”
“In its landmark ruling in the Pentagon Papers case, the US Supreme Court said "only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government". The swirling storm around WikiLeaks today reinforces the need to defend the right of all media to reveal the truth.” The Australian
Quite clearly the authorities in the UK and Sweden have not yet read ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy. Having seen the evidence, the initial response from the State Prosecutor in Sweden was to dismiss the allegations as ‘minor.’ Following pressure from several agencies (CIA anyone?) the decision was to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Even the Daily Mail - yes - the Daily Mail - is not convinced.
“He is responsible for an avalanche of political leaks. Whether he is also guilty of sexual offences remains to be seen. But the more one learns about the case, the allegations simply don't ring true.” Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail
On the same day that Julian Assange was remanded in custody this little nugget appeared on Guardian Online.
“The United States is pleased to announce that it will host Unesco's World Press Freedom Day event in 2011, from 1-3 May in Washington, DC.”
Ironic? Read the next paragraph from the press release:
“The theme for next year's commemoration will be 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers. The United States places technology and
innovation at the forefront of its diplomatic and development efforts. New media has empowered citizens around the world to report on their circumstances, express opinions on world events, and exchange information in environments sometimes hostile to such exercises of individuals' right to freedom of expression. At the same time, we are concerned about the determination of some governments to censor and silence individuals, and to restrict the free flow of information. We mark events such as World Press Freedom Day in the context of our enduring commitment to support and expand press freedom and the free flow of information in this digital age.”
innovation at the forefront of its diplomatic and development efforts. New media has empowered citizens around the world to report on their circumstances, express opinions on world events, and exchange information in environments sometimes hostile to such exercises of individuals' right to freedom of expression. At the same time, we are concerned about the determination of some governments to censor and silence individuals, and to restrict the free flow of information. We mark events such as World Press Freedom Day in the context of our enduring commitment to support and expand press freedom and the free flow of information in this digital age.”
Shameless. You really could not make it up.
Hope Obama can handle WL Change?
ReplyDeleteWe NEED transparency for our global society that we created an cannot control.To many crises.
We'd never gone to Iraq if we read the cables first? Can gov. cut own flesh and downsize coldwar min. of foreign aff./CIA that cost as much as public health care. Wars ? Environment ? The public and is needed to get involved to let our global society survive.
How can a few wise leaders alone solve complex global issues pending ?
If democracy fails, the only solution is More democracy. Know It's a hard path, but harder for our totalitarian enemies. E-vote(power), not E-commerce(money) that changes our world, stupid!