The Australian government has once again criticized WikiLeaks for its supposedly “reckless, irresponsible and potentially dangerous” disclosures of classified data.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also delayed the public release of “sensitive” diplomatic cables relating to Julian Assange – until his extradition to Sweden from the UK has been finalized.
The government’s decision to withhold the cables was apparently influenced by US officials who expressed concern over the disclosure of information at such a sensitive juncture and asked that the US be “more closely consulted” on future Freedom of Information (FOI) releases.
In other WikiLeaks related news, a US judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an outspoken supporter of Bradley Manning. The former Army analyst stands accused of leaking thousands of documents that ultimately ended up on the whistle-blowing site.
According to the Associated Press, the government asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by David House, a founding member of The Bradley Manning Support Network.
House had his laptop, along with other electronic items, seized by Homeland Security agents in 2010 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and allegedly held for 7 weeks.
The lawsuit, filed in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, accuses federal agents of targeting House based solely on his association with the Bradley Manning Support Network.
