THE leaking of secret cables to the WikiLeaks website run by
Australian Julian Assange was the most damaging breach of US security
ever, senior American political figure Senator John McCain says.
Security issues featured in talks between Prime Minister Julia Gillard
and the former Republican presidential candidate and ranking member on
the US Senate's armed services committee during her visit to
Washington.
The US Government is considering its legal options in relation to Mr
Assange, which could include a treason charge, and the alleged
instigators of the leaking of 250,000 diplomatic cables.
Intelligence analyst Private First Class Bradley Manning is being held
in the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Virginia, pending his appearance
on a raft of charges over the alleged leaking of the Government files
to WikiLeaks a year ago.
Senator McCain said after the meeting with the Prime Minister the
WikiLeaks issue had serious implications for all aspects of global
security.
"It is the greatest, most damaging security breach in the history of
this country," he said.
What was most concerning were the revelations of people in places such
as Iraq and Afghanistan who were cooperating with intelligence
services, he said.
"It literally puts their lives in danger," Senator McCain said.
He said those responsible for giving Private Manning access to such
high-security documents also needed to be brought to account.
"He couldn't have done all of that by himself," he said.
Asked whether Australia would help in any future extradition of Mr
Assange, the Prime Minister said she would not speculate.
"The only legal matter affecting Mr Assange are matters stemming out
of proceedings in Sweden," she said, referring to the sex charge
against the internet whistleblower.
"At every stage Mr Assange has received consular assistance, just as
any other Australian would receive." Mr Assange is appealing against
his extradition to Sweden.
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