Wikileaks may harm world peace
Sep 14, 2011
THE world is engrossed in a mixed reaction over the continued leakages of confidential diplomatic cables by whistleblower, Wikileaks.
By Moses Balyeku
THE world is engrossed in a mixed reaction over the continued leakages of confidential diplomatic cables by whistleblower, Wikileaks.
Most of the information includes intelligence briefings from the US Embassies to State Department in Washington. The authenticity of some of the reports is being questioned by many countries and leaders.
My concern is that some of these leaks may jeopardise world peace by causing Interstate rivalry. Take for example the leaks that allege that President Yoweri Museveni discredited Kenyan army over the Somalia crisis. The other claims that Museveni told the US top officials at one time that Col. Gaddafi plotted to kill him. If President Museveni ever made those allegations, which I doubt, it would have been the United States government to ensure full confidentiality of the minutes is adhered to. Of course, there are many secrets the Uganda government has shared with the US especially on the war on terrorism. How would the US feel if some of them were made public to the benefit of either agents of Al Qaeda or Al Shabaab? In ensuring that its interests are primary in every move, the US should also remain committed to giving utmost care to other countries interests as well.
I contend that the leakage of these secrets which the US government would have kept as top secrets pose a great danger to the people of Uganda and Africa as a continent. Tensions may end up brewing among countries over these leaks.
For the case of Uganda, we may end up having diplomatic strains with countries and leaders who the leaks pin us of badmouthing. The onus is now on the United States government to come out and make an unequivocal statement on the matter.
If it admits that what Wikileaks is publishing are factual US intelligence reports, then it should take diplomatic procedures within its means to address the laxity at the State Department. Otherwise, the US government may suffer from credibility problems and many leaders will never trust it any more if this trend continues.
Just like in journalism where confidentiality of source is paramount, it is the same yardstick even in intelligence and security field. On that basis, the US government still has the master card that can help to avoid more leaks of this nature.
The writer is MP Jinja West Constituency
THE world is engrossed in a mixed reaction over the continued leakages of confidential diplomatic cables by whistleblower, Wikileaks.
Most of the information includes intelligence briefings from the US Embassies to State Department in Washington. The authenticity of some of the reports is being questioned by many countries and leaders.
My concern is that some of these leaks may jeopardise world peace by causing Interstate rivalry. Take for example the leaks that allege that President Yoweri Museveni discredited Kenyan army over the Somalia crisis. The other claims that Museveni told the US top officials at one time that Col. Gaddafi plotted to kill him. If President Museveni ever made those allegations, which I doubt, it would have been the United States government to ensure full confidentiality of the minutes is adhered to. Of course, there are many secrets the Uganda government has shared with the US especially on the war on terrorism. How would the US feel if some of them were made public to the benefit of either agents of Al Qaeda or Al Shabaab? In ensuring that its interests are primary in every move, the US should also remain committed to giving utmost care to other countries interests as well.
I contend that the leakage of these secrets which the US government would have kept as top secrets pose a great danger to the people of Uganda and Africa as a continent. Tensions may end up brewing among countries over these leaks.
For the case of Uganda, we may end up having diplomatic strains with countries and leaders who the leaks pin us of badmouthing. The onus is now on the United States government to come out and make an unequivocal statement on the matter.
If it admits that what Wikileaks is publishing are factual US intelligence reports, then it should take diplomatic procedures within its means to address the laxity at the State Department. Otherwise, the US government may suffer from credibility problems and many leaders will never trust it any more if this trend continues.
Just like in journalism where confidentiality of source is paramount, it is the same yardstick even in intelligence and security field. On that basis, the US government still has the master card that can help to avoid more leaks of this nature.
The writer is MP Jinja West Constituency