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This is a list of notable content from the [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] that reveals the United States' political opinion towards a variety of international affairs. Beginning on |
This is a list of notable content from the [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] that reveals the United States' political opinion towards a variety of international affairs. Beginning on November 28, 2010, [[WikiLeaks]] had been publishing classified documents of detailed correspondence—[[diplomatic cable]]s—between the [[United States Department of State]] and its [[List of diplomatic missions of the United States|diplomatic missions around the world]]. On 1 September 2011, it released all of the Cablegate documents in its possession without redaction. |
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The [[United States Department of State]] requires the reason for classification to be specified on all classified cables according to these [[Classified information in the United States#Classification categories|classification categories]]: |
The [[United States Department of State]] requires the reason for classification to be specified on all classified cables according to these [[Classified information in the United States#Classification categories|classification categories]]: |
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{{plainlist| |
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1.4 a) military plans, weapons systems, or operations |
*1.4 a) military plans, weapons systems, or operations |
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107 of the cables are labeled 1.4 (c). |
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Thirty cables are labeled 1.4 (a), for information about military operations, plans, or weapons systems. These 26 cables are: 06LISBON1921, 08CURACAO82, 04BRASILIA592*, 10THEHAGUE7, 09REYKJAVIK225, 04RANGOON1100*, 09LIMA1669, 04BRASILIA1938*, 01VATICAN1261*, 09STATE81957, 09NAIROBI2497, 10ABUJA215, 08STATE65820, 09RIYADH1667, 09RIYADH1687, 09BAKU744, 08RABAT727, 08LONDON1115, 09PESHAWAR2, 09ISLAMABAD2449, 04ANKARA7211*, 05ABUDHABI2178*, 08RPODUBAI49, 09STATE96550, 10ANKARA126, 10MUSCAT71, 10ABUDHABI69, 06REYKJAVIK107, 10STATE2634, and 09STATE97244. (The cables marked with an asterisk are not available in full.) |
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Thirty cables are classified 1.4 (e) for national security matters: 06KINSHASA1410, 08PARIS750, 08PARIS735, 08TRIPOLI230, 07TRIPOLI967, 08TRIPOLI374, 06DARESSALAAM1593, 07KINSHASA282, 07PARIS4723, 08MADRID707, 09UNVIEVIENNA192, 07ACCRA1437, 08FREETOWN406, 08MADRID418, 09SHANGHAI160, 10KUWAIT45, 09STATE15113, 09STOCKHOLM194, 10BEIJING231, 10BEIJING263, 05LONDON4981*, 09ASHGABAT248, 09BRUSSELS536, 09UNVIEVIENNA553, 08TRIPOLI540, 08TRIPOLI635, 10WINDHOEK7, 09BRUSSELS537, 10STATE2634, and 09SHANGHAI170. |
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Five cables have the designation 1.4 (f) for protection of nuclear materials or facilities: 07KINSHASA797, 08LISBON1808, 08KINSHASA189, 09MOSCOW2749, and 09ASHGABAT248. |
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Seven are designated 1.4 (g) for national security systems. These are 07BUJUMBURA479, 10WINDHOEK7, 07BUJUMBURA515, 09STATE15113, 09STOCKHOLM194, 10SANAA5, and 10CARACAS107. |
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The nine cables with the label 1.4 (h) for weapons of mass destruction are 07BUJUMBURA479, 08PARIS750, 08PARIS735, 07BUJUMBURA515, 08BERLIN210, 04MADRID4887*, 05MADRID1924*, 08UNVIEVIENNA215, and 09STATE20624. |
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==By transnational organization== |
==By transnational organization== |
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{{Main|Spying on United Nations leaders by United States diplomats}} |
{{Main|Spying on United Nations leaders by United States diplomats}} |
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In July 2009, a confidential cable originating from the [[United States Department of State]], and under [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]]'s name, ordered US diplomats to [[Espionage|spy]] on [[Ban Ki-moon]], [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]], and other top UN officials.<ref name="unspyguardian"/> The intelligence information the diplomats were ordered to gather included biometric information (which apparently included DNA, fingerprints, and iris scans), passwords, and personal [[Key (cryptography)|encryption key]]s used in private and commercial networks for official communications.<ref name="unspyguardian">{{cite news |title=US Diplomats Spied on UN Leadership — Diplomats Ordered To Gather Intelligence on Ban Ki-Moon — Secret Directives Sent to More than 30 US Embassies — Call for DNA Data, Computer Passwords and Terrorist Links |first1=Robert |last1=Booth |first2=Julian |last2=Borger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cables-spying-un |work=[[The Guardian]] |date= |
In July 2009, a confidential cable originating from the [[United States Department of State]], and under [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]]'s name, ordered US diplomats to [[Espionage|spy]] on [[Ban Ki-moon]], [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]], and other top UN officials.<ref name="unspyguardian"/> The intelligence information the diplomats were ordered to gather included biometric information (which apparently included DNA, fingerprints, and iris scans), passwords, and personal [[Key (cryptography)|encryption key]]s used in private and commercial networks for official communications.<ref name="unspyguardian">{{cite news |title=US Diplomats Spied on UN Leadership — Diplomats Ordered To Gather Intelligence on Ban Ki-Moon — Secret Directives Sent to More than 30 US Embassies — Call for DNA Data, Computer Passwords and Terrorist Links |first1=Robert |last1=Booth |first2=Julian |last2=Borger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cables-spying-un |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 28, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2011}}</ref><ref name="g-cia">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/02/wikileaks-cables-cia-united-nations | title=WikiLeaks Cables: CIA Drew Up UN Spying Wishlist for Diplomats — Agency Identified Priorities for Information on UN Leaders — Cables Reveal Further Evidence of Intelligence Gathering| author=MacAskill, Ewen | author2=Booth, Robert | date=December 2, 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] | access-date=December 13, 2010}}</ref> It also included Internet and intranet usernames, e-mail addresses, web site URLs useful for identification, credit card numbers, frequent flyer account numbers, and work schedules.<ref name="unspyguardian"/><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line --> | title = Cables Show US Sought Personal Info of Foreign Diplomats at UN | date = November 29, 2010 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-29/us/28233885_1_unsc-national-humint-collection-directive-foreign-diplomats | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120911134337/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-29/us/28233885_1_unsc-national-humint-collection-directive-foreign-diplomats | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 11, 2012 | agency = [[Press Trust of India]] |work=[[The Times of India]]| access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="nyt-cables"/> The targeted [[Human intelligence (intelligence collection)|human intelligence]] was requested in a process known as the [[National Humint Collection Directive]], and was aimed at foreign diplomats of US allies as well.<ref name="nyt-cables"/> |
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Further leaked material revealed that the guidance in the cables was actually written by the [[National Clandestine Service]] of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] before being sent out under Clinton's name, as the CIA cannot directly instruct State Department personnel.<ref name="g-cia"/><ref name="lat-ignored"> |
Further leaked material revealed that the guidance in the cables was actually written by the [[National Clandestine Service]] of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] before being sent out under Clinton's name, as the CIA cannot directly instruct State Department personnel.<ref name="g-cia"/><ref name="lat-ignored">{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1203-wikileaks-spying-20101202,0,6105024.story | title=Diplomats Ignored Spying Requests, Former Officials Say | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=2 December 2010 |access-date=13 December 2010}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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The disclosed cables on the more aggressive intelligence gathering went back to 2008, when they went out under [[Condoleezza Rice]]'s name during [[Condoleezza Rice's tenure as Secretary of State|her tenure as Secretary of State]].<ref name="nyt-cables">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/world/29spy.html | title=U.S. Expands Role of Diplomats in Spying | author=Mazzetti, Mark | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=28 November 2010 | |
The disclosed cables on the more aggressive intelligence gathering went back to 2008, when they went out under [[Condoleezza Rice]]'s name during [[Condoleezza Rice's tenure as Secretary of State|her tenure as Secretary of State]].<ref name="nyt-cables">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/world/29spy.html | title=U.S. Expands Role of Diplomats in Spying | author=Mazzetti, Mark | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=28 November 2010 |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref> |
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===European Union=== |
===European Union=== |
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[[Herman Van Rompuy]], [[President of the European Council]], was quoted as saying to [[Howard Gutman]], [[United States Ambassador to Belgium|U.S. Ambassador to Belgium]], that the "EU no longer believes in the success of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|military mission in Afghanistan]]". He also added "Europe is doing it |
[[Herman Van Rompuy]], [[President of the European Council]], was quoted as saying to [[Howard Gutman]], [[United States Ambassador to Belgium|U.S. Ambassador to Belgium]], that the "EU no longer believes in the success of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|military mission in Afghanistan]]". He also added "Europe is doing it [the War in Afghanistan] and will go along out of deference to the United States, but not out of deference to Afghanistan".<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Staff writer]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/eu-doubts-afghanistan-success-wikileaks-files-1.910724|title=EU Doubts Afghanistan Success: WikiLeaks Files |work=[[CBC News]]|date=5 December 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010}}</ref> |
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In 2007, with reference to negotiations with the EU over the adoption of [[Genetically modified food|genetically modified crops]], the U.S. Ambassador to France recommended that "we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU".<ref name="07Paris4723">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/03/wikileaks-us-eu-gm-crops |title=WikiLeaks: US Targets EU over GM Crops — US Embassy Cable Recommends Drawing Up List of Countries for 'Retaliation' over Opposition to Genetic Modification |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=Vidal, John |date=3 January 2011 | |
In 2007, with reference to negotiations with the EU over the adoption of [[Genetically modified food|genetically modified crops]], the U.S. Ambassador to France recommended that "we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU".<ref name="07Paris4723">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/03/wikileaks-us-eu-gm-crops |title=WikiLeaks: US Targets EU over GM Crops — US Embassy Cable Recommends Drawing Up List of Countries for 'Retaliation' over Opposition to Genetic Modification |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=Vidal, John |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> |
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===Council of Europe=== |
===Council of Europe=== |
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According to a cable from the US embassy in Strasbourg, European human rights standards are "an irritant", and their champion, the [[Council of Europe]], "is an organisation with an inferiority complex and, simultaneously, an overambitious agenda".<ref>{{cite news |author=Hirsch, Afua |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/17/wikileaks-european-human-rights-standards?intcmp=239 |title=US Criticises Court That May Decide on Julian Assange Extradition — Leaked Dispatches Reveal Diplomats' Disdain for Council of Europe's Stance Against Extraditions to US and Secret Renditions|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 December 2010 | |
According to a cable from the US embassy in Strasbourg, European human rights standards are "an irritant", and their champion, the [[Council of Europe]], "is an organisation with an inferiority complex and, simultaneously, an overambitious agenda".<ref>{{cite news |author=Hirsch, Afua |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/17/wikileaks-european-human-rights-standards?intcmp=239 |title=US Criticises Court That May Decide on Julian Assange Extradition — Leaked Dispatches Reveal Diplomats' Disdain for Council of Europe's Stance Against Extraditions to US and Secret Renditions|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> |
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===NATO=== |
===NATO=== |
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[[NATO]] created plans to defend the [[Baltic states]] and [[Poland]] known as [[Operation Eagle Guardian]]. Nine British, German, U.S. and Polish divisions have been designated for combat operations in the event of a Russian attack. In 2011, NATO wanted to conduct exercises for this new plan. The U.S. also offered to Poland to station special naval forces in [[Gdańsk]] and [[Gdynia]] as well as stationing [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] fighter aircraft and [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft in Poland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/06/wikileaks-cables-nato-russia-baltics |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal Secret Nato Plans To Defend Baltics from Russia — Leaked Diplomatic Cables Reveal Russia Strategy — British troops identified for combat operations — Washington Offers To Beef Up Polish Security|author=Traynor, Ian |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 December 2010 | |
[[NATO]] created plans to defend the [[Baltic states]] and [[Poland]] known as [[Operation Eagle Guardian]]. Nine British, German, U.S. and Polish divisions have been designated for combat operations in the event of a Russian attack. In 2011, NATO wanted to conduct exercises for this new plan. The U.S. also offered to Poland to station special naval forces in [[Gdańsk]] and [[Gdynia]] as well as stationing [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] fighter aircraft and [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft in Poland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/06/wikileaks-cables-nato-russia-baltics |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal Secret Nato Plans To Defend Baltics from Russia — Leaked Diplomatic Cables Reveal Russia Strategy — British troops identified for combat operations — Washington Offers To Beef Up Polish Security|author=Traynor, Ian |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 December 2010 |access-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> |
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===Catholic Church=== |
===Catholic Church=== |
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<section begin="Catholic Church" /> |
<section begin="Catholic Church" /> |
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After the election of [[Pope Benedict XVI]], US diplomats recommended that the US Department of State seek to 'help shape his approach as he begins to grapple with the world beyond the Vatican's walls'.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://213.251.145.96/cable/2005/04/05VATICAN467.html |title=Pope Benedict XVI Succeeds John Paul II |id={{ |
After the election of [[Pope Benedict XVI]], US diplomats recommended that the US Department of State seek to 'help shape his approach as he begins to grapple with the world beyond the Vatican's walls'.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://213.251.145.96/cable/2005/04/05VATICAN467.html |title=Pope Benedict XVI Succeeds John Paul II |id={{WikiLeaks cable|05VATICAN467}} |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]] |access-date=28 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224194012/http://213.251.145.96/cable/2005/04/05VATICAN467.html |archive-date=24 December 2010 }}</ref><section end="Catholic Church" /> |
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<section end="Catholic Church" /> |
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==By region== |
==By region== |
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Other information in the tranche of cables released by WikiLeaks on |
Other information in the tranche of cables released by WikiLeaks on November 28, 2010, and subsequent days included the following: |
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<!-- please keep alphabetical order --> |
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====Copenhagen Accord on climate change==== |
====Copenhagen Accord on climate change==== |
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Diplomatic cables show how the U.S. "used spying, threats and promises of aid" to gain support for the [[Copenhagen Accord]], under which commitments are made to reduce emissions.<ref>{{cite web |author=Carrington, Damian|date=3 December 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-us-manipulated-climate-accord |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal How US Manipulated Climate Accord — Embassy Dispatches Show America Used Spying, Threats and Promises of Aid To Get Support for Copenhagen Accord — WikiLeaks Cables: Cancún Climate Talks Doomed To Fail, Says EU President — Cancún Climate Change Summit: Week One in Pictures|work=[[The Guardian]] | |
Diplomatic cables show how the U.S. "used spying, threats and promises of aid" to gain support for the [[Copenhagen Accord]], under which commitments are made to reduce emissions.<ref>{{cite web |author=Carrington, Damian|date=3 December 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-us-manipulated-climate-accord |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal How US Manipulated Climate Accord — Embassy Dispatches Show America Used Spying, Threats and Promises of Aid To Get Support for Copenhagen Accord — WikiLeaks Cables: Cancún Climate Talks Doomed To Fail, Says EU President — Cancún Climate Change Summit: Week One in Pictures|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> The emergent U.S. emissions pledge was the lowest by any leading nation.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line --> |date=n.d.|url=http://www.usclimatenetwork.org/policy/copenhagen-accord-commitments|title=Who's On Board with the Copenhagen Accord|publisher=US [[Climate Action Network]]|access-date=21 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216210246/http://www.usclimatenetwork.org/policy/copenhagen-accord-commitments|archive-date=2010-12-16|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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====List of infrastructure critical to U.S. national security==== |
====List of infrastructure critical to U.S. national security==== |
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{{Main|Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative}} |
{{Main|Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative}} |
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Perhaps the most sensitive of all releases as of 6 December was a cable from the U.S. State Department sent in February 2009 referencing the [[Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative]] and listing installations and infrastructure worldwide that it considered critical to protect U.S. interests from terrorists. Before releasing this list WikiLeaks had deliberately removed details of names and locations, but much was still revealed. Ostensibly the list does not include any military facilities. Instead it includes key facilities that if attacked could disrupt the global supply chain and global communications, as well as goods and services important to the U.S. and its economy.<ref name="BBC06">{{Cite news|author=Kendall, Bridget |title=Wikileaks: Site List Reveals US Sensitivities |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11932041 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=6 December 2010 | |
Perhaps the most sensitive of all releases as of 6 December was a cable from the U.S. State Department sent in February 2009 referencing the [[Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative]] and listing installations and infrastructure worldwide that it considered critical to protect U.S. interests from terrorists. Before releasing this list WikiLeaks had deliberately removed details of names and locations, but much was still revealed. Ostensibly the list does not include any military facilities. Instead it includes key facilities that if attacked could disrupt the global supply chain and global communications, as well as goods and services important to the U.S. and its economy.<ref name="BBC06">{{Cite news|author=Kendall, Bridget |title=Wikileaks: Site List Reveals US Sensitivities |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11932041 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=6 December 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207192531/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11932041 |archive-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In the cable the U.S. State Department requests American diplomats to identify installations overseas "whose loss could critically impact the public health, economic security, and/or national and homeland security of the United States |
In the cable the U.S. State Department requests American diplomats to identify installations overseas "whose loss could critically impact the public health, economic security, and/or national and homeland security of the United States".<ref name="CNN07">{{Cite news|author=Lister, Tim |title=WikiLeaks Lists Sites Key to U.S. Security |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/06/wikileaks/?hpt=Sbin |work=[[CNN]] |date=7 December 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023024102/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/06/wikileaks/?hpt=Sbin |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The order was under the direction of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department for Homeland Security]] in co-ordination with the U.S. Department of State.<ref name="Australian06">{{Cite news|author1=Haynes, Deborah |author2=Mostrous, Alexi |author3=Whittell, Giles |title=Wikileaks Lists 'Targets for Terror' Against US |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/wikileaks-lists-targets-for-terror-against-us/story-fn775xjq-1225966496899 |publisher=[[The Times]] (via [[The Australian]]) |date=7 December 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209045526/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/wikileaks-lists-targets-for-terror-against-us/story-fn775xjq-1225966496899 |archive-date=9 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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These are noted excerpts from the list:<ref name="BBC06"/> |
These are noted excerpts from the list:<ref name="BBC06"/> |
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** Several underwater pipelines are listed in Japan, China and Britain.<ref name="Australian06"/> |
** Several underwater pipelines are listed in Japan, China and Britain.<ref name="Australian06"/> |
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* A long list of [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical facilities]] in Europe. |
* A long list of [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical facilities]] in Europe. |
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* [[Dam]]s close to the U.S. border.<ref name="CNN07"/> |
* [[Dam]]s close to the U.S. border.<ref name="CNN07"/> |
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The publishing of this particular cable which had been classified secret and not for review by non-U.S. personnel,<ref name="CNN07"/> was followed by strong criticism. U.S. State Department spokesman [[Philip J. Crowley]] said the disclosure "gives a group like al-Qaeda a targeting list. |
The publishing of this particular cable, which had been classified secret and not for review by non-U.S. personnel,<ref name="CNN07"/> was followed by strong criticism. U.S. State Department spokesman [[Philip J. Crowley]] said the disclosure "gives a group like al-Qaeda a targeting list".<ref name="CNN07"/> British prime minister [[David Cameron]] stated that the list was damaging to the national security of both his country and the United States, "and elsewhere". WikiLeaks spokesman [[Kristinn Hrafnsson]] said with reference to the cable: "This further undermines claims made by the US Government that its embassy officials do not play an intelligence-gathering role." Part of the cable read: "Posts are not/not being asked to consult with host governments with respect to this request."<ref name="Australian06"/> |
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===Africa=== |
===Africa=== |
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===BAE Systems=== |
===BAE Systems=== |
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In 2002, [[BAE Systems]] sold [[Tanzania]] an overpriced radar. Objections by the then British development secretary [[Clare Short]] were overruled by Tony Blair.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/19/wikileaks-cables-tanzania-bae-fears |title=WikiLeaks cables: Tanzania official investigating BAE 'fears for his life' |author=David Leigh |newspaper=The Guardian | |
In 2002, [[BAE Systems]] sold [[Tanzania]] an overpriced radar. Objections by the then British development secretary [[Clare Short]] were overruled by Prime Minister Tony Blair.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/19/wikileaks-cables-tanzania-bae-fears |title=WikiLeaks cables: Tanzania official investigating BAE 'fears for his life' |author=David Leigh |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=31 January 2011 |date=19 December 2010}}</ref> |
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===Boeing=== |
===Boeing=== |
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A series of cables show how US diplomats and senior politicians intervene on behalf of [[Boeing]] to help boost the company's sales.<ref> |
A series of cables show how US diplomats and senior politicians intervene on behalf of [[Boeing]] to help boost the company's sales.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/03/business/03wikileaks-boeing.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 |title=Diplomats Help Push Sales of Jetliners on the Global Market |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=5 January 2011|last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Clark |first2=Nicola |last3=Lehren |first3=Andrew W. |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d17SSaJi28Y |title=US Govt Worked For Boeing – WikiLeaks |publisher=[[The Young Turks (talk show)|The Young Turks]] (via [[YouTube]]) |access-date=7 January 2011}}</ref> |
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===Bouygues=== |
===Bouygues=== |
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*According to a January 2010 cable, "[[Bouygues|Bouygues Batiment International]], a major French construction company, has relocated large numbers of its staff to [[Turkmenistan]] from other international operations that have closed due to the international economic downturn." In the same cable, the author comments: "Repeated visits by the company's leadership to praise the president's economic policies and to stay in his good graces helps to guarantee a stream of 'grandiose' projects".<ref name="10ASHGABAT5">{{cite journal |title=Turkmenistan: Bouygues' Ship In The International |id={{ |
*According to a January 2010 cable, "[[Bouygues|Bouygues Batiment International]], a major French construction company, has relocated large numbers of its staff to [[Turkmenistan]] from other international operations that have closed due to the international economic downturn." In the same cable, the author comments: "Repeated visits by the company's leadership to praise the president's economic policies and to stay in his good graces helps to guarantee a stream of 'grandiose' projects".<ref name="10ASHGABAT5">{{cite journal |title=Turkmenistan: Bouygues' Ship In The International |id={{WikiLeaks cable|10ASHGABAT5}} |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]] |date=2004-11-26 |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/01/10ASHGABAT5.html |access-date=1 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231201417/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/01/10ASHGABAT5.html |archive-date=31 December 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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===Chevron Corporation=== |
===Chevron Corporation=== |
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*On the authority of the Iraqi prime minister, the [[Chevron Corporation]] has been involved in negotiations over investment in Iran, despite [[List of United Nations resolutions concerning Iran|U.N. sanctions against Iran]].<ref>{{cite web |author=MacAskill, Ewan|date=15 December 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/15/wikileaks-chevron-iran-iraq-oilfield-claim |title=Chevron Discussed Oil Project with Iran, Claims Iraqi PM — Embassy Cable Reveals Nouri al-Maliki Believed US Energy Firm Negotiated with Iran About Cross-Border Oilfield Despite Sanctions |work=[[The Guardian]]| |
*On the authority of the Iraqi prime minister, the [[Chevron Corporation]] has been involved in negotiations over investment in Iran, despite [[List of United Nations resolutions concerning Iran|U.N. sanctions against Iran]].<ref>{{cite web |author=MacAskill, Ewan|date=15 December 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/15/wikileaks-chevron-iran-iraq-oilfield-claim |title=Chevron Discussed Oil Project with Iran, Claims Iraqi PM — Embassy Cable Reveals Nouri al-Maliki Believed US Energy Firm Negotiated with Iran About Cross-Border Oilfield Despite Sanctions |work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> |
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===DynCorp=== |
===DynCorp=== |
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Employees of [[DynCorp]], a US government contractor funded by U.S. tax dollars, in [[Afghanistan]] paid for the services of underage "dancing boys", apparently a euphemistic reference to [[Bacha bazi]], which is considered [[child prostitution]].<ref>{{cite web |author= Boone, Jon|date=2 December 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/02/foreign-contractors-hired-dancing-boys |title=Foreign Contractors Hired Afghan "Dancing Boys," WikiLeaks Cable Reveals — Episode Fuelled Afghan Demands That Private Security Firms Be Brought Much More under Government Control |work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> The boys were [[auction]]ed off to be [[sexual abuse|sexually abused]] by Afghan policemen, with some to be kept as [[sex slave]]s and participate in events funded by DynCorp.<ref>[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/12/wikileaks_texas_company_helped.php "WikiLeaks: Texas Company Helped Pimp Little Boys To Stoned Afghan Cops"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904070359/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/12/wikileaks_texas_company_helped.php |date=September 4, 2011 }}. ''Houston Press'', December 7, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/213720 "US embassy cables: Afghan government asks US to quash 'dancing boys' scandal"]. ''The Guardian'', December 2, 2010. Contains the text of the cable dated June 24, 2009.</ref> |
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===Itera=== |
===Itera=== |
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Russian-based company [[Itera]] gifted Turkmen President [[Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow]] with a yacht worth €60 million.<ref>Copy of diplomatic cable dated October 23, 2008 (December 2, 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/174923 "US Embassy Cables: President of Turkmenistan Wanted 'Abramovich-Style' Yacht"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved January 1, 2011.</ref> |
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===Lockheed Martin=== |
===Lockheed Martin=== |
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Lobbying for a major Norwegian defense contract for the F-35, and with an eye on further contracts, the US Ambassador to Sweden urged that the export license for the rival fighter's radar be delayed until after the Norwegian decision,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/07/08STOCKHOLM494.html |title=Proposed Response to Swedish Request to Release AESA RADAR for Gripen Fighter Planes |publisher=WikiLeaks |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231205947/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/07/08STOCKHOLM494.html |archive-date=2010-12-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while the US Ambassador to Norway sought high-level political advocacy, warned that an adverse decision would "weaken one of the strongest pillars of our bilateral relationship" and damage Norway's long-term interests, and backed ways of "helping the GON (Government of Norway) recognise the seriousness of their decision".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/09/08OSLO522.html |title=Norway Fighter Purchase: High-Level Advocacy Needed Now |publisher=WikiLeaks |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231210135/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/09/08OSLO522.html |archive-date=2010-12-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the aftermath of the decision, the Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister said it would be 'very helpful' if the US government were to confirm there had been no political pressure to buy the plane.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/12/08OSLO670.html |title=Lesson Learned from Norwegian Decision To Buy JSF |publisher=WikiLeaks |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231210301/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/12/08OSLO670.html |archive-date=2010-12-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sweetman, Bill|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A6d0f2cc5-b8b8-4b45-ae5d-bf5da47e8cb5&plc |title=WikiLeaks, Weaklings and Weasels |work=Ares — A Defense Technology Blog |publisher=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] |access-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> |
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===McDonald's=== |
===McDonald's=== |
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[[McDonald's]] attempted to pressure the U.S. government to stall the implementation of the [[Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement]] until [[El Salvador]] appointed "neutral judges" in a $24 million lawsuit against the company in 2006.<ref name="mcdonalds-guardian">Boseley, Sarah (21 December 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/dec/21/wikileaks-cables-mcdonalds-us-el-salvador?intcmp=239 "WikiLeaks Cables: McDonald's Used US To Put Pressure on El Salvador — Burger Giant Tried To Delay US Legislation in Order To Aid Lawsuit Being Fought in Central American Country, Cables Reveal"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 11 January 2011.</ref> |
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===MasterCard and Visa=== |
===MasterCard and Visa=== |
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U.S. diplomats lobbied Russian politicians for U.S. [[credit card|credit-card]] companies [[MasterCard]] and [[Visa Inc.]] A law proposal currently{{when|date=December 2010|reason="currently" has no meaning in an encyclopaedia.}} undergoing discussion in the [[State Duma|Russian State Duma]] proposes a [[National Payment Card System]] to collect all credit-card fees for domestic transactions. This would result in a revenue loss for MasterCard and Visa.<ref name="guard:MasterVisa">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/08/wikileaks-us-russia-visa-mastercard |title=WikiLeaks cables: US 'lobbied Russia on behalf of Visa and MasterCard' |work=[[The Guardian]] |author1=Harding, Luke |author2=Parfitt, Tom |date=8 December 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> |
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===Monsanto=== |
===Monsanto=== |
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* In a 2007 cable, the US ambassador to France, [[Craig Roberts Stapleton]], recommended "retaliation" against European "targets" in order to defend [[Monsanto]] sales of [[genetically modified organism]]s (GMOs) in Europe, where [[genetically modified food controversies|controversy over GMOs]] is strong.<ref name="DN_monsanto">{{cite news|author1=Goodman, Amy |author2=Gonzalez, Juan |author3=Smith, Jeffrey |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal U.S. Sought To Retaliate Against Europe over Monsanto GM Crops |date= |
* In a 2007 cable, the US ambassador to France, [[Craig Roberts Stapleton]], recommended "retaliation" against European "targets" in order to defend [[Monsanto]] sales of [[genetically modified organism]]s (GMOs) in Europe, where [[genetically modified food controversies|controversy over GMOs]] is strong.<ref name="DN_monsanto">{{cite news|author1=Goodman, Amy |author2=Gonzalez, Juan |author3=Smith, Jeffrey |title=WikiLeaks Cables Reveal U.S. Sought To Retaliate Against Europe over Monsanto GM Crops |date=December 23, 2010 |publisher=[[Democracy Now!]] |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/23/wikileaks_cables_reveal_us_sought_to |access-date=December 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224073203/http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/23/wikileaks_cables_reveal_us_sought_to |archive-date=December 24, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the cable, the French decision to suspend Monsanto's [[MON 810]] patented seed product line was described as "damaging" and not "science-based".<ref name="07PARIS4723">{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Craig |authorlink=Craig Roberts Stapleton |title=France and the WTO ag biotech case |id={{WikiLeaks cable|07PARIS4723}} |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]] |date=2007-12-14 |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2007/12/07PARIS4723.html |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224190548/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2007/12/07PARIS4723.html |archive-date=2010-12-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The French government's "apparent recommitment" to the [[precautionary principle#Environment and health|precautionary principle]] written in the French Constitution was also referred to as "damaging".<ref name="07PARIS4723" /> In the cable, Stapleton stated, "Country team Paris recommends that we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU since this is a collective responsibility, but that also focuses in part on the worst culprits. The list should be measured rather than vicious and must be sustainable over the long term, since we should not expect an early victory."<ref name="07PARIS4723" /> |
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* A 2007 cable reports a meeting between several agricultural biotechnology companies ([[Dow Chemical Company]], [[DuPont]], Monsanto) where they raise concerns to the French governments stance on agricultural biotechnology.<ref>title=AgBiotech Wikileaks Cable|url=https://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/02/07PARIS515.html</ref> The concerns included the destruction of test fields by activists, whether French police will enforce vandalism laws, whether French farmers will have to be on a public list saying they are growing GMOs, and whether France will follow EU approval guidelines. Also the cable discussed an approval dispute about a [[genetically engineered potato|genetically modified potato]] variety from [[BASF]] which the French government showed signs of approving, but later ruled against. No United States government representatives were involved. |
* A 2007 cable reports a meeting between several agricultural biotechnology companies ([[Dow Chemical Company]], [[DuPont]], Monsanto) where they raise concerns to the French governments stance on agricultural biotechnology.<ref>{{cite web|title=AgBiotech Wikileaks Cable|date=February 9, 2007 |url=https://wikileaks.org/cable/2007/02/07PARIS515.html}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=February 2020}} The concerns included the destruction of test fields by activists, whether French police will enforce vandalism laws, whether French farmers will have to be on a public list saying they are growing GMOs, and whether France will follow EU approval guidelines. Also the cable discussed an approval dispute about a [[genetically engineered potato|genetically modified potato]] variety from [[BASF]] which the French government showed signs of approving, but later ruled against. No United States government representatives were involved. |
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* A 2009 cable reports the |
* A 2009 cable reports the May 13 meeting of US diplomats report with Monsanto's Director for Biotechnology for Spain and Portugal.<ref name="09MADRID482">{{cite journal |last=Duncan |title=Spain's Biotech Crop Under Threat |id={{WikiLeaks cable|09MADRID482}} |publisher=[[WikiLeaks]] |date=May 19, 2009 |url=http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html |access-date=December 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224190606/http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/05/09MADRID482.html |archive-date=2010-12-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The representative voices concerns over increased "Anti-biotechnology activists in the EU" and their attempts to build support for a prohibition on cultivation of the MON810 corn variety. The cable concludes with an action request for continued support of "Spain's science-based agricultural biotechnology position" in response to the requests of Monsanto and Spanish Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs State Secretary Josep Puxeu. |
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===Pfizer=== |
===Pfizer=== |
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The drug company [[Pfizer]] hired [[private investigator]]s to find evidence against the Nigerian [[attorney general]] [[Michael Aondoakaa]] to pressure him into dropping charges against the company. Pfizer was sued in Nigeria over the deaths of children in drug trials.<ref>{{cite news |title=WikiLeaks Cables: Pfizer Used Dirty Tricks To Avoid Clinical Trial Payout — Cables Say Drug Giant Hired Investigators To Find Evidence of Corruption on Nigerian Attorney General To Persuade Him To Drop Legal Action |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=Boseley, Sarah |date=9 December 2010 |access-date=9 December 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/dec/09/wikileaks-cables-pfizer-nigeria}}</ref> |
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===Petro-Canada=== |
===Petro-Canada=== |
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Libya's state oil company called in a senior [[Petro-Canada]] official with a threat to nationalize the firm's operations in Libya if the Canadian government refused to apologize to the Libyan government. Foreign Affairs Minister [[Lawrence Cannon]] had earlier promised a tongue-lashing for the hero's welcome that Libya extended to a man convicted in the [[Pan Am Flight 103|1988 Lockerbie bombing]]. While the Libyan government did not follow through on its threat, it did issue an order on September 30, 2009, for Petro-Canada to cut production by 50 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/931236--libya-threatened-to-nationalize-petro-canada-wikileaks|title=Libya threatened to nationalize Petro-Canada: WikiLeaks|author=Jim Bronskill|work=The Toronto Star|publisher=Torstar|date=31 January 2011|access-date=3 February 2011}}</ref> |
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===Royal Dutch Shell=== |
===Royal Dutch Shell=== |
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[[Ann Pickard]], [[Royal Dutch Shell]]'s then-vice-president for [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], wrote that Shell had "seconded people to all the relevant ministries" of the Nigerian government, and therefore was informed about all important political decisions. She said the Nigerian government had ""forgotten" about the extent of Shell's infiltration and was unaware of how much the company knew about its deliberations". The cables showed that Shell shared and swapped intelligence with the US. After the release of the cables, Celestine AkpoBari, of Social Action Nigeria, said "Shell and the government of Nigeria are two sides of the same coin. Shell is everywhere. They have an eye and an ear in every ministry of Nigeria. They have people on the payroll in every community, which is why they get away with everything. They are more powerful than the Nigerian government." Ben Amunwa of the London-based oil watchdog Platform said "Shell claims to have nothing to do with Nigerian politics. In reality, Shell works deep inside the system, and has long exploited political channels in Nigeria to its own advantage".<ref>{{cite news |author=Smith, David |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=8 December 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010 |title=WikiLeaks Cables: Shell's Grip on Nigerian State Revealed — US Embassy Cables Reveal Top Executive's Claims That Company 'Knows Everything' About Key Decisions in Government Ministries|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/dec/08/wikileaks-cables-shell-nigeria-spying}}</ref> |
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==Diplomatic analysis of individual leaders== |
==Diplomatic analysis of individual leaders== |
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{{Main|Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (analysis of individual leaders)}} |
{{Main|Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (analysis of individual leaders)}} |
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The leaked diplomatic cables provided criticism of varying |
The leaked diplomatic cables provided criticism of varying degrees by U.S. embassy staff of their host governments:<ref name="guard">{{cite news|last=Tisdall|first=Simon|title=Wikileaks Cables Reveal China 'Ready To Abandon North Korea' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/29/wikileaks-cables-china-reunified-korea|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=29 November 2010|access-date=11 December 2010}}</ref><ref>Strasser, Max (December 2, 2010). [https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/12/01/whos_who_in_wikileaks?page=0,0 "Who's Who in WikiLeaks — The World Leaders Embarrassed by Cablegate"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011114831/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/12/01/whos_who_in_wikileaks?page=0,0 |date=2012-10-11 }}. ''[[Foreign Policy]]''. Retrieved January 11, 2011.</ref> These details were quite embarrassing to both leaders as well as the U.S. officials who worked on these cables.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Adams, Guy |author2=Sengupta, Kim |date=6 December 2010|title=US Forced To Shake Up Embassies Around the World after WikiLeaks Revelations|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/us-forced-to-shake-up-embassies-around-the-world-after-wikileaks-revelations-2152167.html|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=11 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Landay, Jonathan S.|date=28 November 2010|title=WikiLeaks Release Reveals Embarrassing Diplomatic Details|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/11/28/104402/wikileaks-release-is-embarrassing.html|work=[[The McClatchy Company|McClatchy]]|access-date=11 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114051015/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/11/28/104402/wikileaks-release-is-embarrassing.html|archive-date=2011-01-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Line 167: | Line 149: | ||
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/the-us-embassy-cables The US embassy cables] by ''[[The Guardian]]'' |
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/the-us-embassy-cables The US embassy cables] by ''[[The Guardian]]'' |
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* [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/world/statessecrets.html State's Secrets] by ''[[The New York Times]]'' |
* [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/world/statessecrets.html State's Secrets] by ''[[The New York Times]]'' |
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* [http://www.spiegel.de/international/topic/wikileaks_diplomatic_cables/ WikiLeaks Diplomatic Cables] by ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' |
* [http://www.spiegel.de/international/topic/wikileaks_diplomatic_cables/ WikiLeaks Diplomatic Cables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201025755/http://www.spiegel.de/international/topic/wikileaks_diplomatic_cables/ |date=December 1, 2010 }} by ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' |
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* [https://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?dsrcid=317391 All Cables on Google Fusion Tables] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120222035349/http://www.cabledrum.net/ cabledrum.net], cablegate search engine (full text, dates and attributes) |
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* [http://www.cablegatesearch.net/ Cablegatesearch], full-text search by topic |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131027175540/https://www.kabelsearch.org/ Kabelsearch.org], secure interactive search |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110110183731/http://dazzlepod.com/cable/ Dazzlepod.com/cable], full-text search of released diplomatic cables |
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* [https://archive.org/details/wikileaks-cables-csv cables.csv] at the [[Internet Archive]] |
* [https://archive.org/details/wikileaks-cables-csv cables.csv] at the [[Internet Archive]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:41, 8 May 2024
This is a list of notable content from the United States diplomatic cables leak that reveals the United States' political opinion towards a variety of international affairs. Beginning on November 28, 2010, WikiLeaks had been publishing classified documents of detailed correspondence—diplomatic cables—between the United States Department of State and its diplomatic missions around the world. On 1 September 2011, it released all of the Cablegate documents in its possession without redaction.
By subject
[edit]The United States Department of State requires the reason for classification to be specified on all classified cables according to these classification categories:
- 1.4 a) military plans, weapons systems, or operations
- 1.4 b) foreign government information
- 1.4 c) intelligence activities, sources, or methods, or cryptology
- 1.4 d) foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States, including confidential sources
- 1.4 e) scientific, technological or economic matters relating to national security; which includes defense against transnational terrorism
- 1.4 f) United States government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities
- 1.4 g) vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects or plans, or protection services relating to the national security, which includes defense against transnational terrorism
- 1.4 h) weapons of mass destruction[1]
Of the 3,420 cables published as of February 3, 2011, 2,647 are classified confidential or secret. Of these, the vast majority are labeled 1.4 (b) or 1.4 (d), or both, indicating that they contain information about foreign relations or governments. 107 of the cables are labeled 1.4 (c).
By transnational organization
[edit]United Nations
[edit]In July 2009, a confidential cable originating from the United States Department of State, and under United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's name, ordered US diplomats to spy on Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other top UN officials.[2] The intelligence information the diplomats were ordered to gather included biometric information (which apparently included DNA, fingerprints, and iris scans), passwords, and personal encryption keys used in private and commercial networks for official communications.[2][3] It also included Internet and intranet usernames, e-mail addresses, web site URLs useful for identification, credit card numbers, frequent flyer account numbers, and work schedules.[2][4][5] The targeted human intelligence was requested in a process known as the National Humint Collection Directive, and was aimed at foreign diplomats of US allies as well.[5]
Further leaked material revealed that the guidance in the cables was actually written by the National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency before being sent out under Clinton's name, as the CIA cannot directly instruct State Department personnel.[3][6]
The disclosed cables on the more aggressive intelligence gathering went back to 2008, when they went out under Condoleezza Rice's name during her tenure as Secretary of State.[5]
European Union
[edit]Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, was quoted as saying to Howard Gutman, U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, that the "EU no longer believes in the success of the military mission in Afghanistan". He also added "Europe is doing it [the War in Afghanistan] and will go along out of deference to the United States, but not out of deference to Afghanistan".[7]
In 2007, with reference to negotiations with the EU over the adoption of genetically modified crops, the U.S. Ambassador to France recommended that "we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU".[8]
Council of Europe
[edit]According to a cable from the US embassy in Strasbourg, European human rights standards are "an irritant", and their champion, the Council of Europe, "is an organisation with an inferiority complex and, simultaneously, an overambitious agenda".[9]
NATO
[edit]NATO created plans to defend the Baltic states and Poland known as Operation Eagle Guardian. Nine British, German, U.S. and Polish divisions have been designated for combat operations in the event of a Russian attack. In 2011, NATO wanted to conduct exercises for this new plan. The U.S. also offered to Poland to station special naval forces in Gdańsk and Gdynia as well as stationing F-16 fighter aircraft and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft in Poland.[10]
Catholic Church
[edit]After the election of Pope Benedict XVI, US diplomats recommended that the US Department of State seek to 'help shape his approach as he begins to grapple with the world beyond the Vatican's walls'.[11]
By region
[edit]Other information in the tranche of cables released by WikiLeaks on November 28, 2010, and subsequent days included the following:
Global
[edit]Copenhagen Accord on climate change
[edit]Diplomatic cables show how the U.S. "used spying, threats and promises of aid" to gain support for the Copenhagen Accord, under which commitments are made to reduce emissions.[12] The emergent U.S. emissions pledge was the lowest by any leading nation.[13]
List of infrastructure critical to U.S. national security
[edit]Perhaps the most sensitive of all releases as of 6 December was a cable from the U.S. State Department sent in February 2009 referencing the Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative and listing installations and infrastructure worldwide that it considered critical to protect U.S. interests from terrorists. Before releasing this list WikiLeaks had deliberately removed details of names and locations, but much was still revealed. Ostensibly the list does not include any military facilities. Instead it includes key facilities that if attacked could disrupt the global supply chain and global communications, as well as goods and services important to the U.S. and its economy.[14]
In the cable the U.S. State Department requests American diplomats to identify installations overseas "whose loss could critically impact the public health, economic security, and/or national and homeland security of the United States".[15] The order was under the direction of the U.S. Department for Homeland Security in co-ordination with the U.S. Department of State.[16]
These are noted excerpts from the list:[14]
- Submarine communications cables
- across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand, Australia, China and other U.S. allies in Asia.
- across the Atlantic Ocean, particularly those from the U.K. and Ireland northwards.
- Major port hubs, particularly in China, Japan and South Korea.
- Critical sea lanes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Panama Canal and the Strait of Malacca.
- The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline as well as many other strategic pipelines criss-crossing Eurasia.
- In connection to these pipelines also Georgia, Azerbaijan and Belarus are on the list.
- Mines that produce rare earths and other much-needed metals, especially in Südafrika and Australien.
- Several underwater pipelines are listed in Japan, China and Britain.[16]
- A long list of pharmaceutical facilities in Europe.
- Dams close to the U.S. border.[15]
- Ostensibly missing are also civil nuclear power plants outside of the United States.
The publishing of this particular cable, which had been classified secret and not for review by non-U.S. personnel,[15] was followed by strong criticism. U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said the disclosure "gives a group like al-Qaeda a targeting list".[15] British prime minister David Cameron stated that the list was damaging to the national security of both his country and the United States, "and elsewhere". WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said with reference to the cable: "This further undermines claims made by the US Government that its embassy officials do not play an intelligence-gathering role." Part of the cable read: "Posts are not/not being asked to consult with host governments with respect to this request."[16]
Africa
[edit]Americas
[edit]Asia and Oceania
[edit]Europa
[edit]Middle East
[edit]By company
[edit]BAE Systems
[edit]In 2002, BAE Systems sold Tanzania an overpriced radar. Objections by the then British development secretary Clare Short were overruled by Prime Minister Tony Blair.[17]
Boeing
[edit]A series of cables show how US diplomats and senior politicians intervene on behalf of Boeing to help boost the company's sales.[18][19]
Bouygues
[edit]- According to a January 2010 cable, "Bouygues Batiment International, a major French construction company, has relocated large numbers of its staff to Turkmenistan from other international operations that have closed due to the international economic downturn." In the same cable, the author comments: "Repeated visits by the company's leadership to praise the president's economic policies and to stay in his good graces helps to guarantee a stream of 'grandiose' projects".[20]
Chevron Corporation
[edit]- On the authority of the Iraqi prime minister, the Chevron Corporation has been involved in negotiations over investment in Iran, despite U.N. sanctions against Iran.[21]
DynCorp
[edit]Employees of DynCorp, a US government contractor funded by U.S. tax dollars, in Afghanistan paid for the services of underage "dancing boys", apparently a euphemistic reference to Bacha bazi, which is considered child prostitution.[22] The boys were auctioned off to be sexually abused by Afghan policemen, with some to be kept as sex slaves and participate in events funded by DynCorp.[23][24]
Itera
[edit]Russian-based company Itera gifted Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow with a yacht worth €60 million.[25]
Lockheed Martin
[edit]Lobbying for a major Norwegian defense contract for the F-35, and with an eye on further contracts, the US Ambassador to Sweden urged that the export license for the rival fighter's radar be delayed until after the Norwegian decision,[26] while the US Ambassador to Norway sought high-level political advocacy, warned that an adverse decision would "weaken one of the strongest pillars of our bilateral relationship" and damage Norway's long-term interests, and backed ways of "helping the GON (Government of Norway) recognise the seriousness of their decision".[27] In the aftermath of the decision, the Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister said it would be 'very helpful' if the US government were to confirm there had been no political pressure to buy the plane.[28][29]
McDonald's
[edit]McDonald's attempted to pressure the U.S. government to stall the implementation of the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement until El Salvador appointed "neutral judges" in a $24 million lawsuit against the company in 2006.[30]
MasterCard and Visa
[edit]U.S. diplomats lobbied Russian politicians for U.S. credit-card companies MasterCard and Visa Inc. A law proposal currently[when?] undergoing discussion in the Russian State Duma proposes a National Payment Card System to collect all credit-card fees for domestic transactions. This would result in a revenue loss for MasterCard and Visa.[31]
Monsanto
[edit]- In a 2007 cable, the US ambassador to France, Craig Roberts Stapleton, recommended "retaliation" against European "targets" in order to defend Monsanto sales of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Europe, where controversy over GMOs is strong.[32] In the cable, the French decision to suspend Monsanto's MON 810 patented seed product line was described as "damaging" and not "science-based".[33] The French government's "apparent recommitment" to the precautionary principle written in the French Constitution was also referred to as "damaging".[33] In the cable, Stapleton stated, "Country team Paris recommends that we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU since this is a collective responsibility, but that also focuses in part on the worst culprits. The list should be measured rather than vicious and must be sustainable over the long term, since we should not expect an early victory."[33]
- A 2007 cable reports a meeting between several agricultural biotechnology companies (Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Monsanto) where they raise concerns to the French governments stance on agricultural biotechnology.[34][full citation needed] The concerns included the destruction of test fields by activists, whether French police will enforce vandalism laws, whether French farmers will have to be on a public list saying they are growing GMOs, and whether France will follow EU approval guidelines. Also the cable discussed an approval dispute about a genetically modified potato variety from BASF which the French government showed signs of approving, but later ruled against. No United States government representatives were involved.
- A 2009 cable reports the May 13 meeting of US diplomats report with Monsanto's Director for Biotechnology for Spain and Portugal.[35] The representative voices concerns over increased "Anti-biotechnology activists in the EU" and their attempts to build support for a prohibition on cultivation of the MON810 corn variety. The cable concludes with an action request for continued support of "Spain's science-based agricultural biotechnology position" in response to the requests of Monsanto and Spanish Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs State Secretary Josep Puxeu.
Pfizer
[edit]The drug company Pfizer hired private investigators to find evidence against the Nigerian attorney general Michael Aondoakaa to pressure him into dropping charges against the company. Pfizer was sued in Nigeria over the deaths of children in drug trials.[36]
Petro-Canada
[edit]Libya's state oil company called in a senior Petro-Canada official with a threat to nationalize the firm's operations in Libya if the Canadian government refused to apologize to the Libyan government. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon had earlier promised a tongue-lashing for the hero's welcome that Libya extended to a man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. While the Libyan government did not follow through on its threat, it did issue an order on September 30, 2009, for Petro-Canada to cut production by 50 percent.[37]
Royal Dutch Shell
[edit]Ann Pickard, Royal Dutch Shell's then-vice-president for Sub-Saharan Africa, wrote that Shell had "seconded people to all the relevant ministries" of the Nigerian government, and therefore was informed about all important political decisions. She said the Nigerian government had ""forgotten" about the extent of Shell's infiltration and was unaware of how much the company knew about its deliberations". The cables showed that Shell shared and swapped intelligence with the US. After the release of the cables, Celestine AkpoBari, of Social Action Nigeria, said "Shell and the government of Nigeria are two sides of the same coin. Shell is everywhere. They have an eye and an ear in every ministry of Nigeria. They have people on the payroll in every community, which is why they get away with everything. They are more powerful than the Nigerian government." Ben Amunwa of the London-based oil watchdog Platform said "Shell claims to have nothing to do with Nigerian politics. In reality, Shell works deep inside the system, and has long exploited political channels in Nigeria to its own advantage".[38]
Diplomatic analysis of individual leaders
[edit]The leaked diplomatic cables provided criticism of varying degrees by U.S. embassy staff of their host governments:[39][40] These details were quite embarrassing to both leaders as well as the U.S. officials who worked on these cables.[41][42]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "5 Fah-3 H-710 E.o. 13526 and Smart Email Classification".
- ^ a b c Booth, Robert; Borger, Julian (November 28, 2010). "US Diplomats Spied on UN Leadership — Diplomats Ordered To Gather Intelligence on Ban Ki-Moon — Secret Directives Sent to More than 30 US Embassies — Call for DNA Data, Computer Passwords and Terrorist Links". The Guardian. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ a b MacAskill, Ewen; Booth, Robert (December 2, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables: CIA Drew Up UN Spying Wishlist for Diplomats — Agency Identified Priorities for Information on UN Leaders — Cables Reveal Further Evidence of Intelligence Gathering". The Guardian. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "Cables Show US Sought Personal Info of Foreign Diplomats at UN". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
- ^ a b c Mazzetti, Mark (November 28, 2010). "U.S. Expands Role of Diplomats in Spying". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ "Diplomats Ignored Spying Requests, Former Officials Say". Los Angeles Times. December 2, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Staff writer (December 5, 2010). "EU Doubts Afghanistan Success: WikiLeaks Files". CBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
- ^ Vidal, John (January 3, 2011). "WikiLeaks: US Targets EU over GM Crops — US Embassy Cable Recommends Drawing Up List of Countries for 'Retaliation' over Opposition to Genetic Modification". The Guardian. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Hirsch, Afua (December 17, 2010). "US Criticises Court That May Decide on Julian Assange Extradition — Leaked Dispatches Reveal Diplomats' Disdain for Council of Europe's Stance Against Extraditions to US and Secret Renditions". The Guardian. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Traynor, Ian (December 6, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables Reveal Secret Nato Plans To Defend Baltics from Russia — Leaked Diplomatic Cables Reveal Russia Strategy — British troops identified for combat operations — Washington Offers To Beef Up Polish Security". The Guardian. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ "Pope Benedict XVI Succeeds John Paul II". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 05VATICAN467. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Carrington, Damian (December 3, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables Reveal How US Manipulated Climate Accord — Embassy Dispatches Show America Used Spying, Threats and Promises of Aid To Get Support for Copenhagen Accord — WikiLeaks Cables: Cancún Climate Talks Doomed To Fail, Says EU President — Cancún Climate Change Summit: Week One in Pictures". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ "Who's On Board with the Copenhagen Accord". US Climate Action Network. n.d. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ a b Kendall, Bridget (December 6, 2010). "Wikileaks: Site List Reveals US Sensitivities". BBC News. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Lister, Tim (December 7, 2010). "WikiLeaks Lists Sites Key to U.S. Security". CNN. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c Haynes, Deborah; Mostrous, Alexi; Whittell, Giles (December 7, 2010). "Wikileaks Lists 'Targets for Terror' Against US". The Times (via The Australian). Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
- ^ David Leigh (December 19, 2010). "WikiLeaks cables: Tanzania official investigating BAE 'fears for his life'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ Lipton, Eric; Clark, Nicola; Lehren, Andrew W. (January 2, 2011). "Diplomats Help Push Sales of Jetliners on the Global Market". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
- ^ "US Govt Worked For Boeing – WikiLeaks". The Young Turks (via YouTube). Retrieved January 7, 2011.
- ^ "Turkmenistan: Bouygues' Ship In The International". WikiLeaks. 26 November 2004. WikiLeaks cable: 10ASHGABAT5. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
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(help) - ^ MacAskill, Ewan (December 15, 2010). "Chevron Discussed Oil Project with Iran, Claims Iraqi PM — Embassy Cable Reveals Nouri al-Maliki Believed US Energy Firm Negotiated with Iran About Cross-Border Oilfield Despite Sanctions". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ Boone, Jon (December 2, 2010). "Foreign Contractors Hired Afghan "Dancing Boys," WikiLeaks Cable Reveals — Episode Fuelled Afghan Demands That Private Security Firms Be Brought Much More under Government Control". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ "WikiLeaks: Texas Company Helped Pimp Little Boys To Stoned Afghan Cops" Archived September 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Houston Press, December 7, 2010.
- ^ "US embassy cables: Afghan government asks US to quash 'dancing boys' scandal". The Guardian, December 2, 2010. Contains the text of the cable dated June 24, 2009.
- ^ Copy of diplomatic cable dated October 23, 2008 (December 2, 2010). "US Embassy Cables: President of Turkmenistan Wanted 'Abramovich-Style' Yacht". The Guardian. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "Proposed Response to Swedish Request to Release AESA RADAR for Gripen Fighter Planes". WikiLeaks. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ "Norway Fighter Purchase: High-Level Advocacy Needed Now". WikiLeaks. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ "Lesson Learned from Norwegian Decision To Buy JSF". WikiLeaks. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ Sweetman, Bill. "WikiLeaks, Weaklings and Weasels". Ares — A Defense Technology Blog. Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Boseley, Sarah (21 December 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables: McDonald's Used US To Put Pressure on El Salvador — Burger Giant Tried To Delay US Legislation in Order To Aid Lawsuit Being Fought in Central American Country, Cables Reveal". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
- ^ Harding, Luke; Parfitt, Tom (December 8, 2010). "WikiLeaks cables: US 'lobbied Russia on behalf of Visa and MasterCard'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ Goodman, Amy; Gonzalez, Juan; Smith, Jeffrey (December 23, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables Reveal U.S. Sought To Retaliate Against Europe over Monsanto GM Crops". Democracy Now!. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ a b c Stapleton, Craig (December 14, 2007). "France and the WTO ag biotech case". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 07PARIS4723. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ "AgBiotech Wikileaks Cable". February 9, 2007.
- ^ Duncan (May 19, 2009). "Spain's Biotech Crop Under Threat". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 09MADRID482. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Boseley, Sarah (December 9, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables: Pfizer Used Dirty Tricks To Avoid Clinical Trial Payout — Cables Say Drug Giant Hired Investigators To Find Evidence of Corruption on Nigerian Attorney General To Persuade Him To Drop Legal Action". The Guardian. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
- ^ Jim Bronskill (January 31, 2011). "Libya threatened to nationalize Petro-Canada: WikiLeaks". The Toronto Star. Torstar. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- ^ Smith, David (December 8, 2010). "WikiLeaks Cables: Shell's Grip on Nigerian State Revealed — US Embassy Cables Reveal Top Executive's Claims That Company 'Knows Everything' About Key Decisions in Government Ministries". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
- ^ Tisdall, Simon (November 29, 2010). "Wikileaks Cables Reveal China 'Ready To Abandon North Korea'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ Strasser, Max (December 2, 2010). "Who's Who in WikiLeaks — The World Leaders Embarrassed by Cablegate". Archived 2012-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Foreign Policy. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Adams, Guy; Sengupta, Kim (December 6, 2010). "US Forced To Shake Up Embassies Around the World after WikiLeaks Revelations". The Independent. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Landay, Jonathan S. (November 28, 2010). "WikiLeaks Release Reveals Embarrassing Diplomatic Details". McClatchy. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
External links
[edit]- Secret US Embassy Cables by WikiLeaks
- The US embassy cables by The Guardian
- State's Secrets by The New York Times
- WikiLeaks Diplomatic Cables Archived December 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine by Der Spiegel
- cables.csv at the Internet Archive