Wikileaks is “the largest set of confidential documents ever to be released into the public domain”. With 251,287 leaked United States embassy cables dating from 1966 to February 2010, the online confidential document flood has sent ripples through the entire world. Needless to say, this grand unraveling of the alleged truth will have an appreciable, if not a great, effect on world diplomacy and political affairs.
Governments across the globe are persistent in their efforts to take down the website, but as founder and editor-in-chief of Wikileaks says, such endeavors would never be able to stop the online leaks. Following is a list of the top cablegate revelations, originally compiled by The Lookout.
Regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program
As revealed by certain cables, leaders of several Middle Eastern countries are secretly apprehensive of the Iranian nuclear program. In fact, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, in consistent talks regarding this very matter, has advised the US to “cut the head of the snake”.
US Diplomats’ Verbal Foray against World Leaders
In several cables, US Diplomats have been found voicing their highly unflattering opinions of certain world leaders. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is labeled as “driven by paranoia”, Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi as “feckless, vain, and ineffective as a modern European leader” and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy as “an emperor with no clothes”. According to one leak, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi enjoys the company of a “voluptuous blonde” Ukrainian nurse in all his travels.
US Confiscating HEU from Pakistan
Starting in 2007, the US has been making off with highly enriched uranium (HEU) from a Pakistani nuclear reactor so as to prevent its use in the fabrication of nuclear weaponry.
Guantanamo Detainee Trading
Leaks suggest that the present US administration, as part of their delayed program to shut down Guantanamo Bay detention camp, has tried to convince countries such as Slovenia and Kiribati to accept detainees from the maximum security prison in exchange for huge incentives.
Afghan Vice President Corruption Allegation
One cable accuses Afghan Vice President Ahmed Zia Massoud of taking $52 million in cash in a trip to the United Arab Emirates.
China, US and Unified Korea
United States’ ambassador to Seoul believes, as suggested in his report to the US administration, that it may be possible to lure China into agreeing to the peaceful reunification of Chinese-dependant North Korea and US-allied South Korea through lucrative business deals. Certain documents reveal that the US and South Korea have already had numerous discussions regarding the matter.
Hezbollah Backed by Syrian Arms
According to US intelligence, Syria continued to support Hezbollah with advanced weaponry only a week after Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad vowed that he would discontinue backing the Lebanese paramilitary organization.
H. R. Clinton’s Spies
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has allegedly been ordering diplomats to collect information on Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Sudan and Somalia as well as on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s stand on Iran.
Qatar’s Reluctant Counterterrorism Efforts
One cable describes Qatar’s security forces as “hesitant to act against known terrorists out of concern for appearing to be aligned with the U.S. and provoking reprisals”. Purportedly, the US Department of State deems the country as the worst in endeavors against terrorism.
Putin-Berlusconi Camaraderie
One cable observes Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been increasingly openhanded towards Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, presenting him with generous energy contracts & “lavish gifts” and Berlusconi has consistently expressed his support for his Russian counterpart in Europe.