Gillard may get me killed: Assange
This Aug. 14, 2010 photo shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in Stockholm, Sweden. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 spoke with the Chinese government about the expected release of classified cables by the Wikileaks website. The release of hundreds of thousands of cables is expected this weekend, though Wikileaks has not specified the timing.Bertil Ericson
In written correspondence between Mr Assange and the Australian Government, made available exclusively to the Sunshine Coast Daily, Mr Assange highlights serious fears that Ms Gillard's statements questioning the legality of WikiLeaks would violate his right to a fair trial.
He said he feared he and his staff could be killed as he was aware senior figures in the United States, including politician Sarah Palin, had been calling for his arrest and assassination.
The 39-year-old Queenslander is currently in solitary confinement in Wandsworth Prison in England for his own safety.
He is due to appear in court for a second time on Tuesday after being arrested on a Swedish warrant.
Prosecutors want to question Julian Assange about allegations of rape and sexual molestation made by two women.
WikiLeaks supporters insist the allegations are politically motivated because of the sensitive nature of the leaked cables.
The US Government is considering extraditing Mr Assange for espionage or charges involving obtaining stolen property.
The charge of espionage involves the death penalty. Either charge would be the first of its kind.
Check out Channel 7's interview with Christine Assange
Despite pleas from Mr Assange's Sunshine Coast-based mother Christine, the Australian Government has yet to commit to stepping in and bringing him back to Australia or assuring he won't be passed on to a third country .
Prime Minister Gillard was on holiday yesterday, leaving the Attorney-General's Department to answer a series of questions from the Daily about whether the government's stand was putting Mr Assange's life at risk.
But the answers were less clear than the allegations.
“Mr Assange has the same rights as any other Australian citizen,” a department spokesman said.
“That includes the right to consular assistance from the government and the right to return home to Australia.
“The government is ensuring Mr Assange has access to assistance from consular officials in London.
“They are in regular contact with Mr Assange and his lawyers, over the phone and through face-to-face meetings.”
Attorney-General Robert McClelland has specifically requested the Australian Federal Police examine whether any Australian laws have been breached in the release of classified information on WikiLeaks.
“In conversations I was asked yesterday about issues of illegality. This is a matter which clearly the United States' Government has primary carriage of, given it was their secure information,” he said.
Mr McClelland has compared the saga of leaked US diplomatic cables to former Treasury mole Godwin Grech, who sparked the OzCar affair in mid-2009.
Speaking to reporters in Sydney, Mr McClelland pointed out it took the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions almost 18 months to decide against taking legal action. A member of Mr Assange's legal team said he complained he “does not get any recreation” in the prison and “has difficulties getting phone calls out. He is on his own”.
He is not allowed to have a laptop in his cell, but his lawyers have requested one.
Assange was in “very good” spirits but “frustrated” that he could not answer allegations against him, the spokesperson said.
About 50,000 Australians have signed a supporting statement about WikiLeaks, and members of action group GetUp have contributed $250,000 to book a full-page ad in leading world newspaper, The New York Times.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/41914.html
07 December 2010
Open letter: To Julia Gillard, re Julian Assange
5198 Comments
(Editor's note: There’s no doubt that WikiLeaks and its figurehead-on-the-run Julian Assange are among the hottest items for discussion on the planet right now.
Feelings are running high, and many in this country take the view that the Australian Government ought do more to assist its vilified, beleaguered citizen.
Assange has become a cause celebre, as evidenced by the signatories to this open letter, a who’s who of sorts, from Noam Chomsky to Helen Garner...)
The authors write: We wrote the letter below because we believe that Julian Assange is entitled to all the protections enshrined in the rule of law – and that the Australian Government has an obligation to ensure he receives them.
The signatures here have been collected in the course of a day-and-a-half, primarily from people in publishing, law and politics. The signatories hold divergent views about WikiLeaks and its operations. But they are united in a determination to see Mr Assange treated fairly.
We know that many others would have liked to sign. But given the urgency of the situation, we though it expedient to publish now rather than collect more names.
If, however, you agree with the sentiments expressed, we encourage you to leave your name in the comments section.
Dear Prime Minister,
We note with concern the increasingly violent rhetoric directed towards Julian Assange of WikiLeaks.
“We should treat Mr Assange the same way as other high-value terrorist targets: Kill him,” writes conservative columnist Jeffrey T Kuhner in the Washington Times.
William Kristol, former chief of staff to vice president Dan Quayle, asks, “Why can’t we use our various assets to harass, snatch or neutralize Julian Assange and his collaborators, wherever they are?”
“Why isn’t Julian Assange dead?” writes the prominent US pundit Jonah Goldberg.
“The CIA should have already killed Julian Assange,” says John Hawkins on the Right Wing News site.
Sarah Palin, a likely presidential candidate, compares Assange to an Al Qaeda leader; Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator and potential presidential contender, accuses Assange of “terrorism”.
And so on and so forth.
Such calls cannot be dismissed as bluster. Over the last decade, we have seen the normalisation of extrajudicial measures once unthinkable, from ‘extraordinary rendition’ (kidnapping) to ‘enhanced interrogation’ (torture).
In that context, we now have grave concerns for Mr Assange’s wellbeing.
Irrespective of the political controversies surrounding WikiLeaks, Mr Assange remains entitled to conduct his affairs in safety, and to receive procedural fairness in any legal proceedings against him.
As is well known, Mr Assange is an Australian citizen.
We therefore call upon you to condemn, on behalf of the Australian Government, calls for physical harm to be inflicted upon Mr Assange, and to state publicly that you will ensure Mr Assange receives the rights and protections to which he is entitled, irrespective of whether the unlawful threats against him come from individuals or states.
We urge you to confirm publicly Australia’s commitment to freedom of political communication; to refrain from cancelling Mr Assange's passport, in the absence of clear proof that such a step is warranted; to provide assistance and advocacy to Mr Assange; and do everything in your power to ensure that any legal proceedings taken against him comply fully with the principles of law and procedural fairness.
A statement by you to this effect should not be controversial – it is a simple commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
We believe this case represents something of a watershed, with implications that extend beyond Mr Assange and WikiLeaks. In many parts of the globe, death threats routinely silence those who would publish or disseminate controversial material. If these incitements to violence against Mr Assange, a recipient of Amnesty International’s Media Award, are allowed to stand, a disturbing new precedent will have been established in the English-speaking world.
In this crucial time, a strong statement by you and your Government can make an important difference.
We look forward to your response.
Dr Jeff Sparrow, author and editor
Lizzie O’Shea, Social Justice Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn
Professor Noam Chomsky, writer and academic
Antony Loewenstein, journalist and author
Mungo MacCallum, journalist and writer
Professor Peter Singer, author and academic
Adam Bandt, MP
Senator Bob Brown
Senator Scott Ludlam
Julian Burnside QC, barrister
Jeff Lawrence, Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions
Professor Raimond Gaita, author and academic
Rob Stary, lawyer
Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Lance Collins, Australian Intelligence Corps, writer
The Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC
Brian Walters SC, barrister
Professor Larissa Behrendt, academic
Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees, academic, Sydney Peace Foundation
Mary Kostakidis, Chair, Sydney Peace Foundation
Professor Wendy Bacon, journalist
Christos Tsiolkas, author
James Bradley, author and journalist
Julian Morrow, comedian and television producer
Louise Swinn, publisher
Helen Garner, novelist
Professor Dennis Altman, writer and academic
Dr Leslie Cannold, author, ethicist, commentator
John Birmingham, writer
Guy Rundle, writer
Alex Miller, writer
Sophie Cunningham, editor and author
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Professor Judith Brett, author and academic
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
Phil Lynch, Executive Director, Human Rights Law Resource Centre
Sylvia Hale, MLC
Sophie Black, editor
David Ritter, lawyer and historian
Dr Scott Burchill, writer and academic
Dr Mark Davis, author and academic
Henry Rosenbloom, publisher
Ben Naparstek, editor
Chris Feik, editor
Louise Swinn, publisher
Stephen Warne, barrister
Dr John Dwyer QC
Hilary McPhee, writer, publisher
Joan Dwyer OAM
Greg Barns, barrister
James Button, journalist
Owen Richardson, critic
Michelle Griffin, editor
John Timlin, literary Agent & producer
Ann Cunningham, lawyer and publisher
Alison Croggon, author, critic
Daniel Keene, playwright
Dr Nick Shimmin, editor/writer
Bill O'Shea, lawyer, former President, Law Institute of Victoria
Dianne Otto, Professor of Law, Melbourne Law School
Professor Frank Hutchinson,Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS), University of Sydney
Anthony Georgeff, editor
Max Gillies, actor
Shane Maloney, writer
Louis Armand, author and publisher
Jenna Price, academic and journalist
Tanja Kovac, National Cooordinator EMILY's List Australia
Dr Russell Grigg, academic
Dr Justin Clemens, writer and academic
Susan Morairty, Lawyer
David Hirsch, Barrister
Cr Anne O’Shea
Kathryn Crosby, Candidates Online
Dr Robert Sparrow, academic
Jennifer Mills, author
Foong Ling Kong, editor
Tim Norton, Online Campaigns Co-ordinator, Oxfam Australia
Elisabeth Wynhausen, writer
Ben Slade, Lawyer
Nikki Anderson, publisher
Dan Cass
Professor Diane Bell, author and academic
Dr Philipa Rothfield, academic
Gary Cazalet, academic
Dr David Coady, academic
Dr Matthew Sharpe, writer and academic
Dr Tamas Pataki, writer and academic
Miska Mandic
Associate Professor Jake Lynch, academic
Professor Simon During, academic
Michael Brull, writer
Dr Geoff Boucher, academic
Jacinda Woodhead, writer and editor
Dr Rjurik Davidson, writer and editor
Mic Looby, writer
Jane Gleeson-White, writer and editor
Alex Skutenko, editor
Associate Professor John Collins, academic
Professor Philip Pettit, academic
Dr Christopher Scanlon, writer and academic
Dr Lawrie Zion, journalist
Johannes Jakob, editor
Sunili Govinnage, lawyer
Michael Bates, lawyer
Bridget Maidment, editor
Bryce Ives, theatre director
Sarah Darmody, writer
Jill Sparrow, writer
Lyn Bender, psychologist
Meredith Rose, editor
Dr Ellie Rennie, President, Engage Media
Ryan Paine, editor
Simon Cooper, editor
Chris Haan, lawyer
Carmela Baranowska, journalist.
Clinton Ellicott, publisher
Dr Charles Richardson, writer and academic
Phillip Frazer, publisher
Geoff Lemon, journalist
Jaya Savige, poet and editor
Johannes Jakob, editor
Kate Bree Geyer; journalist
Chay-Ya Clancy, performer
Lisa Greenaway, editor, writer
Chris Kennett - screenwriter, journalist
Kasey Edwards, author
Dr. Janine Little, academic
Dr Andrew Milner, writer and academic
Patricia Cornelius, writer
Elisa Berg, publisher
Lily Keil, editor
Jenny Sinclair
Roselina Rose
Stephen Luntz
PM Newton
Bryan Cooke
Kristen Obaid
Ryan Haldane-Underwood
Patrick Gardner
Robert Sinnerbrink
Kathryn Millist
Anne Coombs
Karen Pickering
Sarah Mizrahi
Suzanne Ingleton
Jessica Crouch
Michael Ingleton
Matt Griffin
Jane Allen
Tom Curtis
John Connell
David Garland
Stuart Hall
Meredith Tucker-Evans
Phil Perkins
Alexandra Adsett
Tom Doig, editor
Beth Jackson
Peter Mattessi
Robert Sinnerbrink
Greg Black
Paul Ashton
Sigi Jottkandt
Kym Connell, lawyer
Silma Ihram
Nicole Papaleo, lawyer
Melissa Forbes
Matthew Ryan
Ben Gook
Daniel East
Bridget Ikin
Lisa O'Connell
Melissa Cranenburgh
John Bryson
Michael Farrell
Melissa Reeves
Dr Emma Cox
Michael Green
Margherita Tracanelli
David Carlin, writer
Bridget McDonnell
Geoff Page, writer
Rebecca Interdonato
Roxane Ludbrook-Ingleton
Stefan Caramia
Ash Plummer
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/pm-julia-gillard-plumbing-new-depths/story-e6frfhqf-1225969271859
Source: Herald Sun
THE high point of the week on television was Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd flapping his elbows like wings and saying: "Quack, quack, quack."
He was, of course, illustrating his claim that US embassy criticism of him in the WikiLeak cables is "water off a duck's back".What else could the former prime minister do? It was either laugh or cry.
There was no upside to the revelation that, when he was prime minister, confidential cables to the State Department in Washington described him as an abrasive control freak, accused him of not properly consulting allies and detailed a series of what they called his "foreign policy mis-steps".
But the WikiLeaks documents contain assessments of the current PM, Julia Gillard, as well.
These have received much less attention, but are equally interesting -- especially in light of recent debate about what she stands for.
The answer, according to what Gillard's allies in the ALP have told US diplomats, seems to be: "Not much."
The leaked US cables also contain material that helps to explain the extraordinarily tough line Gillard has taken against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
They assert that Gillard these days goes "out of her way to assist the US embassy".
She is certainly bending over backwards to do that with her condemnation of Assange and her Government's repeated suggestions that he has acted illegally.
The cables reveal that, when Gillard sprang to prominence as deputy PM and Rudd's heir apparent, the Americans became concerned about her political leanings.
They knew she was from Labor's Socialist Left faction in Victoria. They knew that she had been the most enthusiastic and consistent caucus backer of the anti-American Mark Latham.
But, according to the cables, "many key ALP insiders" assured the embassy that there was nothing to worry about.
Gillard might label herself Left-wing and line up with the faction, but she subscribed to no such ideology. She was, they said, "at heart a pragmatist".
Senator Mark Arbib, leader of the ALP's powerful NSW Right and a source trusted by the US embassy, was one who told US diplomats that Gillard's Left-wing background meant nothing.
Arbib -- who later played a key role in knifing Rudd and installing Gillard as PM -- is quoted in one of the leaked cables describing her as "one of the most pragmatic politicians in the ALP".
This galloping pragmatism may be a key reason why Australians are finding it difficult to get a grip on who their Prime Minister really is.
Even after Gillard promised to let loose the "real Julia" during the election campaign, they still had little idea of what she believes in.
And no wonder. If her Labor mates have told the Americans the truth, it appears the "real Julia" is whatever she needs to be.
Another of the anti-Rudd plotters -- Senator David Feeney, leader of the Victorian Right -- is quoted in the leaked cables as saying there is no major policy issue on which the allegedly Left-wing Gillard differs from him.
The cables also reveal what happened when a US diplomat expressed surprise to Right-wing AWU secretary
Paul Howes that Gillard was seen as Rudd's successor.
It was well known, the diplomat said, that "ALP politicians from the Left, no matter how capable, do not become party leader".
"But she votes with the Right," Howes replied.
Howes, of course, now proudly boasts of being one of the faceless men who helped remove Rudd and install Gillard in his place.
US embassy officials record in the cables their own experience of the Gillard pragmatism.
"Although long appearing ambivalent about the Australia-US alliance, Gillard's actions since she became the Labor Party number two indicate an understanding of its importance," an American diplomat wrote in 2008.
The same cable mentioned that, while Gillard had little contact with the embassy in opposition, since becoming deputy PM she had gone out of her way to be of assistance. Then came the punchline.
"It's unclear whether this change in attitude reflects a mellowing of her views or an understanding of what she needs to do to become leader of the ALP".
Now she has the top job, Gillard is continuing to ingratiate herself with the Americans. As I wrote last week, this is evident in her approach to the Afghanistan war.
It is even more evident in her comments, and those of her Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, on the WikiLeaks affair.
Gillard is not quite out on the edge with the likes of Sarah Palin, who demands that Assange be hunted down like a terrorist.
But the Australian PM is doing her bit to discredit him and feed the hysteria emanating from Washington.
Having accused Assange of acting illegally, Gillard was asked at a news conference what Australian laws she thought he had broken.
"Look," she said. "The foundation of this WikiLeaks issue is an illegal act. Information was taken and that was illegal."
In that case, of course, Assange's source -- not Assange himself -- has committed a crime. But Gillard fudged this inconvenient fact.
And now McClelland, who certainly has not covered himself with glory in the affair, asserts that obtaining classified information without authority is an offence under Australian law.
To begin with, the WikiLeaks documents are from an American database, not an Australian one, so Australian law does not apply.
More serious, though, is the implied threat to Australian journalists.
Over the years, I have broken a number of important stories on the basis of leaked classified documents.
Most other political journalists worth their salt have done the same.
Is McClelland saying we should be in jail? Is that the Gillard Government's view of press freedom?
In her eagerness to impress the Americans, our pragmatic PM is entering dangerous territory.
Laurie Oakes is political editor for the Nine Network. His column appears every Saturday in the Herald Sun
http://antonyloewenstein.com/tag/julia-gillard/
EXCERPT:
This is the not the behaviour of an ally; it’s the actions of a country utterly incapable of viewing the human rights of Arabs as equal to Israelis:
The Israeli ambassador to Australia found Kevin Rudd to be “very pro-Israel” and senior Australian diplomats warned the former prime minister that his condemnation of Iran risked retaliation against Australia’s embassy in Tehran, according to leaked US diplomatic cables.
The secret cables, obtained by WikiLeaks and provided exclusively to the Herald, reveal the Israeli ambassador, Yuval Rotem, was pleased with Mr Rudd’s “very supportive” attitude towards Israel’s position in the Middle East peace process and his strong attacks on the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The revelation of Mr Rotem’s description of Mr Rudd last year comes as the Foreign Minister wraps up a visit to Cairo where he expressed concern that ”no real progress” has been made in the US-brokered Middle East peace process.
Following a weekend meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul Gheit, Mr Rudd said Israeli settlements on Palestinian land were ”destroying” the chances of peace. He said he would visit Israel this week and reiterate his position, but added Israel had security fears that needed to be taken into account.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6546625.ece
EXCERPT:
June 21, 2009
