Ambassador Davies Statement on WikiLeaks

For Immediate Release

By Ambassador Glyn Davies,

Permanent Representative of the United States to the
International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Office in Vienna

November 29, 2010
Statement on WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks has released to several media outlets what it claims to be classified State Department cables; we anticipate that the alleged cables will be posted on the WikiLeaks website in the near future.  These documents, purportedly downloaded from U.S. Defense Department computers, appear to contain United States’ diplomats’ assessments of policies, negotiations, and leaders from countries around the world as well as reports on private conversations with people inside and outside governments and international organizations.

While I cannot vouch for the authenticity of any of these documents, I regret the disclosure of any information that was intended to be confidential, and I regret any embarrassment or discomfort to colleagues that the publication of the documents may cause.

The United States government condemns the illegal disclosure of these alleged classified communications.  Diplomats must engage in frank discussions with colleagues, and must be assured that these discussions will remain private.  U.S. diplomats meet with the staff of international organizations, journalists, technical experts, and others outside the government who offer their own candid insights. These conversations depend on trust and confidence; if that confidence is breached, the public revelation of a person’s identity could have serious repercussions.  Whatever WikiLeaks’ motives in publishing these documents, it is clear that releasing them poses real risks to real people. 

The United States government is committed to maintaining the security of our diplomatic communications and is taking steps to make sure they are kept in confidence. We are moving aggressively to make sure this kind of breach does not happen again.

The United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna will continue to work to strengthen our partnerships to make sure we continue to focus on the issues at hand. President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and I remain committed to being trusted partners as we seek to build a better, more prosperous world.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Hall Godfrey
Spokesperson and Public Affairs Officer
phone:  + 43 1 31339-4726
email:  HallGodfreyJJ@state.gov