Kevin Rudd, John Howard speak out over WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

Kevin Rudd, John Howard speak out over WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

www.news.com.au

FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has blamed America for the controversial release of thousands of classified documents by WikiLeaks, in an interview published today.

Mr Rudd said Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange - currently in custody in Britain over rape allegations - was not to blame.

"Mr Assange is not himself responsible for the unauthorized release of 250,000 documents from the US diplomatic communications network," Rudd told Reuters.

"The Americans are responsible for that."

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Kevin Rudd along with other Australian government officials (including the Prime Minister Julia Gillard) had earlier in the week roundly accused Julian Assange of criminal activites and called for his arrest.
This sudden backflip is quite astonishing, Mr Rudd most recently came to media attention whilst defending himself against comments leaked in the cables, where the US Ambassador had given a frank and less than complimentary assessment of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.


www.news.com.au

Now also picked up by BBC news - see here
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In a world where two countries are invaded just because Osama Bin Laden was blamed, it is apparent that the powers that be have effectively dumbed down the masses into believing that individual men represent and carry out all things anti-American. The reality is that when it comes to either Al Qaeda or Wikileaks, both are organizations of many people and both have reasons and intentions that go far beyond whatever the mainstream media introject into peoples' heads.

Assange was chosen as a scapegoat. Do most people really believe that "dissapearing" Assange will end the leaks and the world will go back to loving America? Do they really think that Assange did all of this himself, without the help of many people of many different nationalities in cyber/political/activist/media/intelligence fields?

Wikileaks is democracy on a global level. It is exposing reality of global affairs so that all people can form a better opinion of the past in order to remedy the present, and to work towards a better future; a future without American exceptionalism and interference. The American government clearly does not want the world to know the truth of its global subversion, a true sign of an empire prospecting global control. It is time to end this.

Rudd is cracking and bad. I can't understand why they continue to allow to him to hold office after what he's been through. Enough is enough. The man is losing mental stability and sticking his foot in his mouth. The more he's put out into the public the more impulsive and angry he's going to get. And kneejerk reactions without considering others is what put him in the deep end in the first place.

Yes it is the Americans fault these leaks were leaked. And they are the Americans cables. But it would be better if he didn't say that. I think right now it would be better if everyone in Canberra just shut up for once.

Assange was chosen as a scapegoat.

That was my thought too, so why have two former Prime Ministers (one the current Foreign Minister) now come forward and told the public to not blame Assange?

reply to post by ilandrah


I'm fairly sure Assange just achieved "Aussie Battler" status. They know full well with the sudden ground swell of support for him it would be political suicide to keep up the way they have been. Surely they're watching the huge public backlash against them. Especially from the media. Even Murdoch came out on Assange's side today.

i have always felt that it is wrong for aust to be americas (blind) puppydog.we are a nation in our own right and decisions made buy our polititions should represent the citizens of our country.transperency of government is patriotic not traitorous(or terrorist)and if usa dosent respect other nations then they should expect no less in return.we should fear usa's intent more than iraqs,afgans etc.us has noproblem screwing our farmers etc when it suits them.i dont think we need to make there problems ours.if they fear the truth coming out then they have it coming to them.just remember uncle sam respect is a two way street.(ps rudd might want to keep his job)

Originally posted by ilandrah

Assange was chosen as a scapegoat.

That was my thought too, so why have two former Prime Ministers (one the current Foreign Minister) now come forward and told the public to not blame Assange?

Perhaps they waited until Assange was captured before they would support him. Maybe in order to incite Australian nationalism of protecting a fellow Australian while ganging up on the world's enemy, the USA?

reply to post by Dimitri Dzengalshlevi


I don't think so.
Australians freely recognise that America is one of our most valued allies. Most of us are more than happy to back the US in any war and view them with genuine friendship.
We might not always appreciate the attitude of their lleaders, but know how important a good relationship with them is.
Australia and New Zealand are the only western nations in our little corner of the world - I think that makes us feel a bit vulnerable sometimes.

This is indeed a suprise... Weren't they out to get him a few days ago? Could this be a trick to get him here then ship him off to the US asap?

When you consider it, this guy is correct.

No matter how secure you think something is, there is always someone out there who is able to see what has been said or done on a computer. If people are daft enough to go sending out comments, questions or orders that are of a dubious nature, then that's their fault.

We often see in the media how one person makes a mistake by saying something that the majority disagrees with and then they get slammed down in the press, lose their position and generally embarassed. Which can be a good thing. So here we see this on a scale that upsets the apple cart far more than anyone would have liked.

Way to go Wikileaks. (as it is a collection of people and not just Assange.)
Shame on TPTB.

Originally posted by ilandrah
...This sudden backflip is quite astonishing, Mr Rudd most recently came to media attention whilst defending himself against comments leaked in the cables, where the US Ambassador had given a frank and less than complimentary assessment of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. ...

Not so much. Typical politician trying to save his bacon, and moving to where he believes the voters are moving to. These are really the worst kind. No spine whatsoever, just a sludgy blob trying to accomodate god and the devil.

reply to post by ilandrah


That's a fair reply.

Considering we are both from commonwealth states under the Queen (Australia and Canada), I know very little about Australia. In fact, Australia seems to be a rather absent subject here, even in standard education.

But it is indeed interesting to observe the highlights of Australian politics, as your system is similar to my own (Queen > Governor General > Prime Minister > American Influence), yes?

reply to post by ilandrah


Get real...
Gillard is still towing the US line and is doing nothing to help Julian..

Rudd on the other hand is Piss#@ off because a leak from the US called him for what he is.
So Rudd suddenly turns in favour of Julian/wiki..

Easy to see if you follow the news..
Australian Government has done NOTHING to help a citizen..

"Any Australian citizen who leaves this country can't expect to carry any special protection under Australian law in another country.

"We are all subject to the laws of the country in which we operate."

[Quoting John Howard's statement at end of article]

What a shame those who come to Australia aren't held to the same standards. Those who do speak out against those who fail to integrate are called Racists and Xenophobes...

Originally posted by belial259
reply to post by ilandrah

 

I'm fairly sure Assange just achieved "Aussie Battler" status. They know full well with the sudden ground swell of support for him it would be political suicide to keep up the way they have been. Surely they're watching the huge public backlash against them. Especially from the media. Even Murdoch came out on Assange's side today.

I think the bit of your post I've highlighted might explain their about-turn

When Murdoch says 'jump' , politicians around the world say 'how high?'

reply to post by Dagar


I think you might have come closest Dagar.
I am certain that Rudd et all have no regard for the feelings of voters at all. With the way that preference systems and other deals work, it doesn't really seem to matter who you vote for it gets twisted around to get someone else into power anyways.
The voting system here really is so convoluted that most people have no idea where their votes will eventually fall. Besides, the next election is a long way off and voters here appear to have limited memories.

I thought that the parallels between the two (Rudd and Howard) implied influence from a third party. I have never seen them agree on anything in the past, but their words here sounded like it was coming from a single voice.

On ABC National Radio this morning the poll question was Julian Assange, hero or villain....

"Hero" had 80% last time I looked....

Methinks Kevin and Co. are aware of this groundswell, hence the illusion(because I dont believe them or trust ANY of them as far as I can throw them..) that they have sided with JA..

i remember reading something prior to Rudd being given the role of Foreign Minister that Washington was behind the coup of taking down Rudd, because he didn't want the troops in Afghanistan and was against America's interest in the 'War against Terrorism' - It stated that Rudd will be given an important role, and sure enough 1 wk after publication, there he is once again Kevin747, jettisoning around the globe.

Ill try to find this somewhere.

I think that if the sudden turn about was for purely pollitically reasons and fear of voter backlash that other leaders would also be doing the same. Notably we haven't heard from Gillard or Abbot at all.
Gillard stuck her neck out early and has since been condemned by journalists and the general public, but has made no contraction of her statements.
I have not seen any quotes from Abbot about this at all, a few opposition ministers have said we need to hold off on our anger until the situation is clarified, but Abbot has been strangely silent.