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Editorial
Assange shines light on America's murky side
Despite the pall of alleged sex crimes hanging over him, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange cuts a heroic figure in much of Asia and the rest of the world.
He is not a classic hero astride a white horse riding out to the sounds of battle; nor has he rescued nations and/or individuals from torture or death.
What he has done is helped shine a light on the thought processes that guide the policies of an all-powerful United States (still the most influential country on earth), which touch the lives of so many human beings.
The irony of the current crisis involving Assange is that he has demonstrated by his actions a commitment to those basic values that were once held so dear by the founding fathers of the US and their successors. Their mantra was to cherish key values, including freedom of speech, that help sustain life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
But instead of applauding his courage, albeit through gritted teeth, as well as his commitment to open government, the US has made it clear that it seeks revenge, coupled with punishment, for the Australian-born renegade who has given the whole world unexpected insights into the way Washington thinks and acts.
It remains to be proven whether dark powers in Washington DC are behind attempts to extradite Assange to Sweden (and thereafter perhaps to the US?) to stand trial for his alleged sexual misconduct.
Yet even if the Swedish charge of sexual impropriety fails to stick — and it is now clear that Assange could be guilty of nothing more than 'sexual surprise' (a crime only in Swedish law) meriting a fine of US$750 — the US will not give up its attempt to charge and make an example of him.
While Washington ponders its options, it may be instructive to review what Wikileaks has additionally disclosed and continues to disclose about some of Asia's all-powerful governments that control the lives of hundreds of millions.
This includes revelations of diplomatic tittle-tattle — such as the comments made by Singapore's ambassador at large, Tommy Koh, who commented on his 'stupid Indian friends' and characterised Japan as the 'big fat loser'. In a similar vein, US diplomats were cited as describing Kim Jong Il and other North Korean leaders as 'flabby'.
Likewise the comments of outgoing US ambassador to Uzbekistan John Parnell, who said about his host country: 'It is a post-Soviet police state run in the interest of a small coterie of families who monopolise political and economic life. Membership in the inner circle is no longer based on loyalty to a ruling ideology or party as it was in the Soviet era, but on loyalty to the president, Islam Karimov.'
In the 21st century these sorts of comments amount to no more than diplomatic flea bites, but Wikileaks has also underlined more serious issues by, for example, highlighting King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia's real views on Iran (he urged the US to 'cut off the head of the snake') and drawing attention to whether Myanmar is exploring option to develop a nuclear with the help of North Korea.
Yet for the average citizen of the planet, Wikileaks' most compelling features are what it tells about US policy towards the rest of the world. When so much blood and money has been invested in some of the US' more pointless wars, for example, we all have ample justification to ask why.
Thanks to Wikileaks we now have answers to many life and death questions involving the US and its key allies. A former US ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, has declared that Islamabad is now producing nuclear weapons faster than any other country on earth. The same ambassador is cited as revealing that Pakistan's so-called democratically elected President, Asif Zardari, would like to see his sister succeed him.
Who knows what else is about to be revealed. Perhaps we will soon find out the real reasons for the US invasion of Afghanistan, why Washington for so many years chose to support the murderous regime of Saddam Hussein, or why foreign ambassadors accredited to the US are subjected to humiliating personal body searches. Maybe one of the secret cables will also reveal the true links between the Bush and Bin Laden families. Even more compelling would be any revealed information about the nuclear armed drones that the US plans to send into orbit by the year 2020.
For his role in enlightening us, Assange deserves to be congratulated, not condemned. He is less a sinner as portrayed by the US and more of a 21st century saint. Indeed he is more likely to be remembered and venerated by future generations than most US presidents.
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