WikiLeaks: US Army willing to discuss Afghan files

[sabra]

Source: AP

STOCKHOLM — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday the U.S. Army has expressed willingness to discuss the online whistleblower's request for help in reviewing classified documents from the Afghan war and removing information that could harm civilians.

"This week we received contact through our lawyers that the General Counsel of the U.S. Army says now that they want to discuss the issue," Assange told The Associated Press by telephone.

There was no immediate comment from Washington.

WikiLeaks has asked the Pentagon for help in reviewing the documents to purge the names of Afghan informants from the files. Last week, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said he was not aware of any effort by department officials to contact WikiLeaks.

Assange said Wednesday that "contact has been established" but added it was not clear whether and how the U.S. Army would assist WikiLeaks. The General Counsel is the chief lawyer of the U.S. Army.

"It is always positive for parties to talk to each other," Assange said. "We welcome their engagement."

He reiterated that WikiLeaks plans to release its second batch of secret Afghan war documents within "two weeks to a month."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j9aMmp1OqP7j5xF9dK6ssJk5Z8awD9HLUAOG0

[Robb]

1. Were I Assange, I'd teleconference that meeting. nt

[Soylent Brice]

2. NO SHIT.

[zipplewrath]

3. It'll be through lawyers

I suspect he'll go nowhere near the meeting. Most likely just have his lawyers negotiate for him.

[Hissyspit]

4. WikiLeaks: Pentagon Ready to Discuss Afghan Files

Source: Associated Press

WikiLeaks: Pentagon says willing to discuss request for help in reviewing Afghan war documents

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday the Pentagon has expressed willingness to discuss the online whistleblower's request for help in reviewing classified documents from the Afghan war and removing information that could harm civilians.

"This week we received contact through our lawyers that the General Counsel of the U.S. Army says now that they want to discuss the issue," Assange told The Associated Press by telephone. He later corrected himself to say he meant the general counsel of the Pentagon.

- snip -

Asked if CID had brokered contact between defense lawyers and Wikileaks lawyers, Whitman said: "CID is conducting an investigation and I am not going to comment on their investigation." Assange said Wednesday that "contact has been established" but added it was not clear whether and how the U.S. military would assist WikiLeaks.

"It is always positive for parties to talk to each other," Assange said. "We welcome their engagement." He reiterated that WikiLeaks plans to release its second batch of secret Afghan war documents within "two weeks to a month."



Read more: http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0818/wikileaks-pentagon-ready-discuss-afghan-files

[louis-t]

5. Poor, naive Assange.

He actually trusts the Pentagon.

[boppers]

6. Pentagon: Nope.

They have no way to win this one, and last I heard (on my NPR drive home) was that the Pentagon was saying that they are willing to sit at the table and demand total removal of *all* documents.