War on whistleblower: CIA spies on WikiLeaks for 'Pentagon murder cover-up' exposure?

[Eric J (Viking)]

The Pentagon has been accused of spying on a whistleblower website that specialises in leaking top secret documents. The US Army has already labeled the website as a security threat. Now Wikileaks - which won Amnesty Internationals news media award last year - has issued a statement claiming its editors are being investigated: WikiLeaks is currently under an aggressive US and Icelandic surveillance operation, - the claim published on Tweeter said.

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the site...
http://wikileaks.org/

viking

[iceman]

hmmmm very interesting..thanks for sharing
peace
iceman

[sunflower]

Thanks, Viking. This site is worth visiting from time to time. Helps in our efforts to keep track of things.

[pilgrimspirit]

If you want to visit Wikileaks you had better do it under a vpn or ssh just to protect yourself. Be smart and use common sense! Prevention is better than cure. Indymedia was recently hit with an order to give up the ip addresses of all their visitors but they beat that.

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

What has not been said is the reason for this. Its because Wikileaks have in their possession a leak of a decrypted video depicting an airstrike on civilians and journalists which they plan to release on Monday 5th April.

"We have airline records of the State Dep/CIA tails. Don't think you can get away with it. You cannot. This is WikiLeaks."

Sounds like the people behind Wikileaks are under some pressure. Since this is unlikely to turn up in your newspapers, I post it here to spread awareness.

Wikileaks has a mission of bringing hidden information to light, when it’s in the public interest. Wikipedia outlines their greatest hits, including Gauntanamo Bay procedure documents, scientology secrets, and net censorship lists. They come under fire sometimes for hosting material that probably isn’t much in the public interest, but overall they have contributed some compelling information to some fractious global arguments.

In the last 24 hours, their Twitter feed has contained some worrying content.

* WikiLeaks to reveal Pentagon murder-coverup at US National Press Club, Apr 5, 9am; contact press-club@sunshinepress.org
* WikiLeaks is currently under an aggressive US and Icelandic surveillance operation. Following/photographing/filming/detaining
* If anything happens to us, you know why: it is our Apr 5 film. And you know who is responsible.
* Two under State Dep diplomatic cover followed our editor from Iceland to http://skup.no on Thursday.
* One related person was detained for 22 hours. Computer’s seized.That’s http://www.skup.no
* We know our possession of the decrypted airstrike video is now being discussed at the highest levels of US command.
* We have been shown secret photos of our production meetings and been asked specific questions during detention related to the airstrike.
* We have airline records of the State Dep/CIA tails. Don’t think you can get away with it. You cannot. This is WikiLeaks.

All those came out in a rush, then silence for hours. Might just be a timezone thing, with people sleeping, or maybe there’s been no news, or maybe everyone with access to the Twitter feed has been detained. I await more information.

UPDATE: “To those worrying about us–we’re fine, and will issue a suitable riposte shortly.” 8.22am NZ time.

UPDATE: Just noticed that the first tweet quoted, “WikiLeaks to reveal Pentagon murder-coverup” is gone from the feed. Now I wish I’d linked to all of them individually. Anyway, it was definitely there, and I think Linda is right that it is this previously-referred-to video

UPDATE: commenter eru found the missing tweet. It isn’t visible in the ordinary feed for some reason.

-----------------

This from Wikileaks:

Fri Mar 26 08:44:46 UTC 2010

Over the last few years, WikiLeaks has been the subject of hostile acts by security organizations. In the developing world, these range from the appalling assassination of two related human rights lawyers in Nairobi last March (an armed attack on my compound there in 2007 is still unattributed) to an unsuccessful mass attack by Chinese computers on our servers in Stockholm, after we published photos of murders in Tibet. In the West this has ranged from the overt, the head of Germany's foreign intelligence service, the BND, threatening to prosecute us unless we removed a report on CIA activity in Kosovo, to the covert, to an ambush by a "James Bond" character in a Luxembourg car park, an event that ended with a mere "we think it would be in your interest to...".

Developing world violence aside, we've become used to the level of security service interest in us and have established procedures to ignore that interest.

But the increase in surveillance activities this last month, in a time when we are barely publishing due to fundraising, are excessive. Some of the new interest is related to a film exposing a U.S. massacre we will release at the U.S. National Press Club on April 5.

The spying includes attempted covert following, photographing, filming and the overt detention & questioning of a WikiLeaks' volunteer in Iceland on Monday night.

I, and others were in Iceland to advise Icelandic parliamentarians on the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative, a new package of laws designed to protect investigative journalists and internet services from spying and censorship. As such, the spying has an extra poignancy.

The possible triggers:

* our ongoing work on a classified film revealing civilian casualties occurring under the command of the U.S, general, David Petraeus.
* our release of a classified 32 page US intelligence report on how to fatally marginalize WikiLeaks (expose our sources, destroy our reputation for integrity, hack us).
* our release of a classified cable from the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik reporting on contact between the U.S. and the U.K. over billions of euros in claimed loan guarantees.
* pending releases related to the collapse of the Icelandic banks and Icelandic "oligarchs".

We have discovered half a dozen attempts at covert surveillance in Reykjavik both by native English speakers and Icelanders. On the occasions where these individuals were approached, they ran away. One had marked police equipment and the license plates for another suspicious vehicle track back to the Icelandic private VIP bodyguard firm Terr. What does that mean? We don't know. But as you will see, other events are clear.

U.S. sources told Icelandic state media's deputy head of news, that the State Department was aggressively investigating a leak from the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik. I was seen at a private U.S Embassy party at the Ambassador's residence, late last year and it is known I had contact with Embassy staff, after.

On Thursday March 18, 2010, I took the 2.15 PM flight out of Reykjavik to Copenhagen--on the way to speak at the SKUP investigative journalism conference in Norway. After receiving a tip, we obtained airline records for the flight concerned. Two individuals, recorded as brandishing diplomatic credentials checked in for my flight at 12:03 and 12:06 under the name of "US State Department". The two are not recorded as having any luggage.

Iceland doesn't have a separate security service. It folds its intelligence function into its police forces, leading to an uneasy overlap of policing and intelligence functions and values.

On Monday 22, March, at approximately 8.30pm, a WikiLeaks volunteer, a minor, was detained by Icelandic police on a wholly insignificant matter. Police then took the opportunity to hold the youth over night, without charge--a highly unusual act in Iceland. The next day, during the course of interrogation, the volunteer was shown covert photos of me outside the Reykjavik restaurant "Icelandic Fish & Chips", where a WikiLeaks production meeting took place on Wednesday March 17--the day before individuals operating under the name of the U.S. State Department boarded my flight to Copenhagen.

Our production meeting used a discreet, closed, backroom, because we were working on the analysis of a classified U.S. military video showing civilian kills by U.S. pilots. During the interrogation, a specific reference was made by police to the video---which could not have been understood from that day's exterior surveillance alone. Another specific reference was made to "important", but unnamed Icelandic figures. References were also made to the names of two senior journalists at the production meeting.

Who are the Icelandic security services loyal to in their values? The new government of April 2009, the old pro-Iraq war government of the Independence party, or perhaps to their personal relationships with peers from another country who have them on a permanent intelligence information drip?

Only a few years ago, Icelandic airspace was used for CIA rendition flights. Why did the CIA think that this was acceptable? In a classified U.S. profile on the former Icelandic Ambassador to the United States, obtained by WikiLeaks, the Ambassador is praised for helping to quell publicity of the CIA's activities.

Often when a bold new government arises, bureaucratic institutions remain loyal to the old regime and it can take time to change the guard. Former regime loyalists must be discovered, dissuaded and removed. But for the security services, that first vital step, discovery, is awry. Congenitally scared of the light, such services hide their activities; if it is not known what security services are doing, then it is surely impossible to know who they are doing it for.

Our plans to release the video on April 5 proceed.

We have asked relevant authorities in the Unites States and Iceland to explain. If these countries are to be treated as legitimate states, they need to start obeying the rule of law. Now.

—Julian Assange (editor@wikileaks.org)

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

The war on WikiLeaks and why it matters.


A newly leaked CIA report prepared earlier this month (.pdf) analyzes how the U.S. Government can best manipulate public opinion in Germany and France -- in order to ensure that those countries continue to fight in Afghanistan. The Report celebrates the fact that the governments of those two nations continue to fight the war in defiance of overwhelming public opinion which opposes it -- so much for all the recent veneration of "consent of the governed" -- and it notes that this is possible due to lack of interest among their citizenry: "Public Apathy Enables Leaders to Ignore Voters," proclaims the title of one section.

But the Report also cites the "fall of the Dutch Government over its troop commitment to Afghanistan" and worries that -- particularly if the "bloody summer in Afghanistan" that many predict takes place -- what happened to the Dutch will spread as a result of the "fragility of European support" for the war. As the truly creepy Report title puts it, the CIA's concern is: "Why Counting on Apathy May Not Be Enough":


THE REST: http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_gr...eaks/index.html

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

Edit. Edit.

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

AS PROMISED, WIKILEAKS HAS RELEASED THE VIDEO AND SET UP A NEW WEBSITE FOR IT....

WARNING - ITS A VERY UPSETTING A CRUEL VIDEO. I HOPE THE PEOPLE THAT DID THIS ROT IN HELL AND THAT THIS BECOMES VIRAL AND HITS THE FRONT PAGE OF EVERY NEWSPAPER. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN.

http://www.collateralmurder.com/

5th April 2010 10:44 EST WikiLeaks has released a classified US military video depicting the indiscriminate slaying of over a dozen people in the Iraqi suburb of New Baghdad -- including two Reuters news staff.

Reuters has been trying to obtain the video through the Freedom of Information Act, without success since the time of the attack. The video, shot from an Apache helicopter gun-site, clearly shows the unprovoked slaying of a wounded Reuters employee and his rescuers. Two young children involved in the rescue were also seriously wounded.

The military did not reveal how the Reuters staff were killed, and stated that they did not know how the children were injured.

After demands by Reuters, the incident was investigated and the U.S. military concluded that the actions of the soldiers were in accordance with the law of armed conflict and its own "Rules of Engagement".

Consequently, WikiLeaks has released the classified Rules of Engagement for 2006, 2007 and 2008, revealing these rules before, during, and after the killings.

WikiLeaks has released both the original 38 minutes video and a shorter version with an initial analysis. Subtitles have been added to both versions from the radio transmissions.

WikiLeaks obtained this video as well as supporting documents from a number of military whistleblowers. WikiLeaks goes to great lengths to verify the authenticity of the information it receives. We have analyzed the information about this incident from a variety of source material. We have spoken to witnesses and journalists directly involved in the incident.

WikiLeaks wants to ensure that all the leaked information it receives gets the attention it deserves. In this particular case, some of the people killed were journalists that were simply doing their jobs: putting their lives at risk in order to report on war. Iraq is a very dangerous place for journalists: from 2003- 2009, 139 journalists were killed while doing their work.



THOSE CUNTS ARE DESPERATE TO SHOOT. THEY CANT ****ING WAIT TO TAKE HUMAN LIVES. THOSE GUYS WERE JUST TRYING TO TAKE AWAY AN INJURED PERSON. **** **** ****.

[irishspirit]

I am struggling for words right now. That is cold blooded MURDER, and the attempted murder of children. NO ONE, and I mean no one can say that this was a provoked attack. This was nothing more than shear lust for blood and light, and to laugh about it just shows the type of people that we are dealing with.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0&feature=player_embedded

These are quite clearly people without souls, operating in the dark side. Regardless of ones personal belife system, that has to make one sick.

May those souls rest in peace and many their families find strenght in the fact that there are people there fighting to stop this happening to other.

To Wikileaks, well done again. Yet again, you have shown the world yet again what the American Military machine is about. You have shown the World why we cannot trust the MSM. Keep up the Amazing work.

Full 40 minutes video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is9sxRfU-ik

Be Safe and free


Irish spirit

[gibonos]

This is truly shocking.
How easy those guy would kill, like a video game.
Hope all of this suffering will end soon.

gibonos

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

for those that watch this, the video gets nasty around the 4.30-5.00 min mark

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

this is truly shocking.
How easy those guy would kill, like a video game.
Hope all of this suffering will end soon.

Gibonos

make this viral. Add to face book, my space and so on....

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

Anyway, the MSM have now started picking up on it....

The Guardian ....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/05/wikileaks-us-army-iraq-attack

For those that don't want to watch the video (although people really do need to see it IMO)
here is a short rundown....

The newly released video of the Baghdad attacks was recorded on one of two Apache helicopters hunting for insurgents on 12 July 2007. Among the dead were a 22-year-old Reuters photographer, Namir Noor-Eldeen, and his driver, Saeed Chmagh, 40. The Pentagon blocked an attempt by Reuters to obtain the video through a freedom of information request. Wikileaks director Julian Assange said his organisation had to break through encryption by the military to view it.

In the recording, the helicopter crews can be heard discussing the scene on the street below. One American claims to have spotted six people with AK-47s and one with a rocket-propelled grenade. It is unclear if some of the men are armed but Noor-Eldeen can be seen with a camera. Chmagh is talking on his mobile phone.


One of the helicopter crew is then heard saying that one of the group is shooting. But the video shows there is no shooting or even pointing of weapons. The men are standing around, apparently unperturbed.

The lead helicopter, using the moniker Crazyhorse, opens fire. "Hahaha. I hit 'em," shouts one of the American crew. Another responds a little later: "Oh yeah, look at those dead bastards."

One of the men on the ground, believed to be Chmagh, is seen wounded and trying to crawl to safety. One of the helicopter crew is heard wishing for the man to reach for a gun, even though there is none visible nearby, so he has the pretext for opening fire: "All you gotta do is pick up a weapon." A van draws up next to the wounded man and Iraqis climb out. They are unarmed and start to carry the victim to the vehicle in what would appear to be an attempt to get him to hospital. One of the helicopters opens fire with armour-piercing shells. "Look at that. Right through the windshield," says one of the crew. Another responds with a laugh.

Sitting behind the windscreen were two children who were wounded.

After ground forces arrive and the children are discovered, the American air crew blame the Iraqis. "Well it's their fault for bringing kids in to a battle," says one. "That's right," says another.

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

I am glad this went mainstream. I put a lot of effort to break this on about 6 different forums and facebook.

[Eric J (Viking)]

Awesome Eyeswideopen...well if we made an impact blessings to all...

Shameful, as I have stated on another thread with regards to the vid...perhaps they can look back and realize they don't belong in OUR humanity..SHAME ON YOU!!!

viking

[sunflower]

Thanks, Eyeswideopen, I am still reeling with shock. I guess I have led a cushioned life. I am sending this to everyone I know. Soldiers are desensitized to the point where they are merely experiencing a virtual gaming world.

I still remember a Canadian veteran of WW2 describing the firebombing of Dresden, Germany. I won't go into details but what he told me was horrifying and unbelievable if you weren't there.

[sunflower]

Thanks, EyesWideOpen, I am still reeling with shock. I guess I have led a cushioned life. I am sending this to everyone I know. Soldiers are desensitized to the point where they are merely experiencing a virtual gaming world.

I still remember a Canadian veteran of WW2 describing the firebombing of Dresden, Germany. I won't go into details but what he told me was horrifying and unbelievable if you weren't there.

[Productivemind]

This is absolute proof of intentional murder on unarmed humans. Eyes Wide Open, thank you for sharing this. What I find even more disgusting is that there are not enough Americans with the backbone to stand up and scream NO MORE BLOOD IN OUR NAMES! People will discuss it, but will never take action to stop this behavior. It's been going on for so many decades. It's time to end this shameless evil, but will it only end when they've done the same thing to their own citizens? Why do folks seem to be unaffected because it's people in other countries being murdered? No wonder other countries hate us. We go in and murder their people, occupy their land and tell them to change their lifestyles based on what we want them to do. Thank you for caring enough to share this and spread it. Maybe there will be enough hell raising over this to ignite a fire in the hearts and minds of those who really do care.

[Redtailhawk]

I have not watched the video, as I am afraid I will find it too disturbing.

My former fiance was a fighter pilot in Afghanistan. He flew the Apache helicopter and he killed a lot of people there :(....He told me that he is afraid that he killed a few "friendlies" too, and that he erased some of the tapes of some of his killing missions. He told me that he thought he had a good idea of where Bin Laden might have been near the border of Tora Bora and that the Generals would tell him to stay far away from there...he questioned why we were even over there. He told me that the Blackwater missionaries were really evil people who got off on killing people and that there were a lot of them in Afghanistan murdering innocents. Ultimately our relationship did not work out and I believe it was mainly due to the PTSD and the horror he brought home from his experience over there. He witnessed bodies being blown in half and smelled burning flesh in the air...I am glad he made it back here alive and pray that his soul heals from all the pain he has been through.

[EYES WIDE OPEN]

Wikileaks 'to release new video of US strike on Afghan civilians'

The video apparently shows previously classified footage from US warplanes called in to bomb Taliban fighters during a fire fight in Farah province last year.

The Afghan government said at the time that the strikes by F-18 and B1 planes near Granai killed 147 civilians. An independent Afghan inquiry later put the toll at 86.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7579132/Wikileaks-to-release-video-of-US-strike-on-Afghan-civilians.html