The US ordered a sweeping review of access to sensitive government information yesterday in the wake of the massive and potentially embarrassing WikiLeaks release of more than 250,000 classified documents.
The State Department memos, reflecting in some cases unflattering assessments of world leaders, left the administration feeling vulnerable.
Publication of the secret memos and documents also increased widespread global alarm about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
And it revealed occasional US pressure tactics aimed at hot spots in Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea. The leaks disclosed bluntly candid impressions from both diplomats and other world leaders about America’s allies and foes.
It was, said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, the “September 11 of world diplomacy”.
The documents published by The New York Times, France’s Le Monde, Britain’s Guardian, German magazine Der Spiegel and others laid out the behind-the-scenes conduct of Washington’s international relations, shrouded in public by platitudes, smiles and handshakes at photo sessions among senior officials.
The White House immediately condemned the release of the Wiki Leaks documents, saying “such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals and people around the world who come to the United States for assistance in promoting democracy and open government”.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the leak was an attack not only against the US but the international community as well, and would erode trust among nations.
In her first public comments since the weekend release of the classified State Department cables, Mrs Clinton said that WikiLeaks acted illegally in posting the material. She said the Obama administration was “aggressively pursuing” those responsible for the leak.
Despite the damage, Mrs Clinton said she was “confident” that US partnerships would withstand the challenges posed by the revelations.
US officials may also have to mend fences after revelations that they gathered personal information on other diplomats. The leaks cited American memos encouraging US diplomats at the United Nations to collect detailed data about the UN secretary general, his team and foreign diplomats – going beyond what is considered the normal run of information-gathering expected in diplomatic circles.
The State Department played down the diplomatic spying allegations. “Our diplomats are just that, diplomats,” said a spokesman.
“They collect information that shapes our policies and actions. This is what diplomats, from our country and other countries, have done for hundreds of years.”
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange claimed the administration was trying to cover up alleged evidence of serious “human rights abuse and other criminal behaviour” by the US government. WikiLeaks posted the documents just hours after it claimed its website had been hit by a cyber attack that made the site inaccessible for much of the day.