U.S. tightens information security in wake of WikiLeaks report
White House orders restricts access to classified documents; U.S. Attorney General says probe into the source behind leak of thousands of secret cables ongoing.
By News AgenciesThe White House made its first reported policy change in wake of Sunday's massive WikiLeaks report, directing government agencies on Monday to tighten procedures for handling classified information.
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Newspaper fronts reporting on the documents released by the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks are seen in New York, November 29, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
The new procedures would ensure "that users do not have broader access than is necessary to do their jobs effectively, as well as implementation of restrictions on usage of, and removal of media capabilities from, classified government directives," according to a directive from the Office of Management and Budget released on Monday.
Also on Monday, a top U.S. law enforcement officer said a U.S. investigation into the source behind the leaking of thousands of secret U.S. military and diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks was ongoing.
"We have an active, ongoing criminal investigation with regard to this matter," Attorney General Eric Holder said, adding the probe was being carried out with the Department of Defense.
Holder added that WikiLeaks used the information it had obtained irresponsibly, as opposed to members of the press and news agencies.
“I think there's a real basis… to believe that crimes have been committed," he said.
U.S. military authorities detained Army Private Bradley Manning and in July transferred him from Iraq to the United States in connection with leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks. He was charged with unauthorized use and disclosure classified material relating to videos published by WikiLeaks.
He remained a person of interest in the WikiLeaks publication of tens of thousands of Afghan war-related documents.
Authorities have not said whether he is the suspect behind the publication of nearly 400,000 Iraq war military documents, or the release of more than 250,000 State Department cables WikiLeaks began publishing Sunday.
Manning was working as an intelligence analyst in Iraq at the time of his arrest and reportedly had access to classified material. Reports said the military had obtained evidence from his computer showing he had downloaded secret information.
Manning was reportedly able to access the documents following reforms after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, that made it easier for classified information to be shared across government agencies.
WikiLeaks has refused to identify any sources. A spokesman for WikiLeaks, Kristinn Hrafnsson, defended the release against charges that it could endanger lives around the world.
"We have gone to great lengths to scrutinize the information ... in order to redact the names of individuals who actually may be harmed by exposure," he told CNN.
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What goes around comes around let all that dirty politics be exposed.and thats the way it is
As a citizen of the United States, I approve of the leak. I believe governments in general, and ours in particular, hide too much behind "security" simply because they have interests and connections that they don't want ordinary citizens to know about. Protection of or advantages for businesses that make large political contributions seems like something that the general population should know about. The fecklessness of government operations seems like another area that would benefit from openness. We often rant about how an open government is beneficial, how an informed electorate is preferred, but hiding crucial information and "dumbing down" the electorate are the real orders of the day.
It was reported that the US believed some of her personnel and sources would be in mortal danger once the documents were published. Such a belief provides moral authority to kill in order to stop the publication. Assange should have been made an offer he could not refused. Perhaps US expressed fears were exaggerated, or their treatment indicates incompetence. Not clear.
More evidence the guy is completely unfit to be US president.
The extent of the leak was known in June. The fact that the news about upgrade in security were released today does not mean that they were not ordered in June. They probably were hidden all this time with Obama's birth certificate.
It now turns out that Obama didn't even "tighten up security" now or 5 months ago, but merely ordered US agencies - only this week - to prepare "reviews" of their security procedures and "make recommendations". Widely reported. He has done NOTHING to date. This bum has to go, and Hillary with him. Just coincidence, I suppose, that this happens on their watch. And isn't it odd that after 5 months, the thief, Pvt. Manning, has STILL not been court martialed. And what were his superiors doing, who are they?