Shocked by Wikileaks?

The cable leaks of Wikileaks has not come as a surprise. Nor are the dispatches of the US diplomats from various capitals. However, it provides an insight in the thought process of Washington and its priorities.

The reaction of US prior to the cablegate and after seems to follow a set pattern. First, they tried to cajole the home government of different countries that they should not take the cables seriously. Later, when the information was laid bare by the cables, Washington made an effort to reach out to strengthen their diplomatic relations.

The cablegate has some immediate fallout. First, the US would strengthen their diplomatic dispatches and make it more secure. Washington, which has been championing the cause of free speech, is now talking about taking action against Wikileaks. However, their reaction would certainly have been different if Wikileaks had put out the diplomatic dispatches of Russia or China.

Secondly, all the countries across the globe would be taking steps to make their diplomatic cables more coded and less transparent. The thin line which demarcates the role of diplomats and the intelligence agencies who man the embassies and high commission would further blur. There would be increasing cooperation between the two.

The question that needs to be asked is should action be taken against Wikileaks or similar forum which would come up in future. Should we not as the global citizens have the right to know what is going on behind the curtain, even if it is nasty.

Though internet has provided an opportunity for the free flow information. But, what is there in world wide web may not actually be true. But, does that matter. Every individual must have an access to different shades of opinion.

Government may try to hide their acts, in the name of national security and secrecy. But, what is national security or secrecy when the citizens of that country itself is not aware of the deeds of the state.

Cablegate is just the tip of the iceberg. Wikileak is just the beginning of the process. In the days to come, there would be many more such sites which would publish deeds and misdeeds of government and individuals.

What one is waiting for is the leak of information of bank account holders in tax havens like Swiss, Channel Islands.......