WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Blames The Guardian For Leaking Names of U.S. Informants

BERLIN - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lashed out at U.K. newspaper The Guardian, blaming it for last week's release of some 250,000 confidential U.S. diplomatic cables, complete with the names of thousands of U.S. informants living in oppressive regimes.our editor recommends'Inside Job' Director Attached to HBO Films' Julian Assange PicWikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange to be Extradited to Sweden on Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations "The Guardian was negligent in its behavior," Assange said, speaking via satellite to o Berlin's Medienwoche conference. "The Guardian newspaper revealed the entire encryption password, including the part they were specifically told not to write down. The individual concerned is The Guardian's investigations editor." But Assange defended his whistle-blower site, saying that while "inherent within publication there are risks. It is important for organizations to take risks and demonstrate a willingness to fight for justice at large and on an individual level." Assange came out swinging in his first industry appearance since his arrest late last year. In his international keynote speech to Berlin's Medienwoche he attacked Washington, the hidden agendas of mainstream media outlets and attempts by governments to dismantle his whistle-blowing website. "Over the last year, which to us has been the best of times and the worst of times, (...) we have seen substantial attacks on the organization," Assange said, adding that the mainstream media has also fed the fire against WikiLeaks. "We often hear claims by media organizations that they have no agenda. Of course, we know that to be false. We can immediately dispose with the false moralizing done by media organizations and simply say that they are there to make money." Speaking via satellite from the U.K., where he is under house arrest, the controversial former hacker said WikiLeaks should be seen "in the context of the real power dynamics in the world." As an example he cited Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner's call for Visa to block any attempt to make donations to WikiLeaks. "Nearly everyone in the audience has a visa card in their pocket. you have an instrument of Washington in your pocket," Assange said. Assange remains under house arrest in the U.K., pending possible extradition to Sweden, where he faces charges relating to two sexual assault cases. Related Topics International