Leaked Cables Stir Resentment and Shrugs

[ProSense]

Leaked Cables Stir Resentment and Shrugs

By ALAN COWELL

PARIS — In the world of diplomacy, known for its ambiguity and opacity, the WikiLeaks organization says its function is to “keep government open.” But with the release of some 250,000 American diplomatic cables, the outcome may be more ambiguous, closing doors to United States diplomats, turning candor to reticence and leaving many people leery of baring their souls and secrets to American officials.

<...>

But there is no shortage of anger either — in Turkey, Russia, Mexico and elsewhere. “I am worried about the Americans spying; they have always been very interfering,” said President Felipe Calderón of Mexico.

And in an age when years of diplomatic cables can be stored on a single flash drive, it appeared that WikiLeaks might not be alone: Al Akhbar, a Lebanese newspaper that supports the Shiite militant and political group Hezbollah, has been posting documents from eight Arab countries, including Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Libya.

On Friday, evidence mounted of at least the beginning of damage to American allies, with officials from Canada and Germany either leaving their jobs or offering to do so as a result of the revelations.

more

[Angry Dragon]

1. Obama PROMISED transparency, so what is he pissed about??

[movonne]

2. Well maybe this is his plan...

[Amonester]

3. Obama PROMISED many other good things, but they were just slogans.

That's about it.

[Angry Dragon]

4. No they are not just slogans

We have people wanting a job, to get that job they need votes.
I look at what they promise to do as part of the job application.
If you lie on a job application you are subject for termination.
I am really tired of this shit of "Oh well he didn't really mean it.
He just wanted to get elected". How else are we to judge a person
if we can not hold them to their promises??

I am sick of this business as usual. That is why we have the mess we do.
No one wants to held accountable. It is way past the time to hold
their feet to their promises.

[EFerrari]

5. This article is so typical of the Times and of the problem.

It only considers the relationships between political elites, not between them and their various populaces. Typical.

[ProSense]

7. Most Americans

are against the leaks.

[Bragi]

10. Noted, but they're still wrong /nt

[purrFect]

11. Huge difference between legit National Security Secrets & what has been 'leaked' (published)

fyi

[tsuki]

12. Yes, the horrors of it all. I understand that the mole that reported

how Angela Merkel picked her cabinet has been fired. What will we do when we no longer know how Angela picks her ministers?

[EFerrari]

13. Oh, please. Sell it to someone who is buying. n/t

[ProSense]

14. Oh please,

deny everything that doesn't fit the spin.

[EFerrari]

15. That crappy poll and polls like it are why most people thought

Saddam flew a plane into the World Trade Center.

Congratulations.

[ProSense]

18. I really don't care

Most people who know about this believe it was wrong and the rest aren't even paying attention.

The channels of information have come a long way since 2001 and 2003.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Sadly I think the rest of the world knew how corrupt the USA dealings were

except they didn't have it in writing.

For example peopl efrom other countries suspected the 'goings on' in the Iran Contra and speculated about Bush and cheney's role in 9/11.

[MilesColtrane]

8. We're not as bad as most countries.

Let's here it!

We're Number 22! We're Number 22!

Poll On The Most Corrupt Nations On Earth

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. yes we are not as bad as some but

manyh american citizens think we are god's gift and pure

[Rosa Luxemburg]

17. yes we are not as bad as some but

manyh american citizens think we are god's gift and pure

[Bragi]

9. It'a mostly foreign governments embarrassed by the leaks

There are revelations in the cables that have been published that show that the US government made heartfelt public statements about countries and situations that it knew to be false.

While these are embarrassing to the US government, it looks (to me) like the bulk of the serious lies exposed in the cables are those of foreign governments and leaders telling US diplomats one thing, while openly admitting that they would say entirely different things publicly.

I look forward to what foreign policy experts will find when they get the chance to digest these materials.

The most interesting thing for me is that Wikileaks and the leaked cables have dominated world media now for almost a week. I don't see any signs of coverage slowing down. I think (and hope) we are soon going to see articles by people who have gone through the cables, and who are experts in foreign policy.