Clinton: WikiLeaks Won't Hurt U.S. Diplomacy

The recent leak of thousands of sensitive U.S. diplomatic cables will have no adverse effect on America's international relations, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared Wednesday at a security summit.

Clinton said she has discussed the revelations published on the WikiLeaks website with her colleagues at a security summit in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event is the first major international meeting of leaders and top diplomats since the memos began appearing on the website and in numerous international publications earlier this week.

CBSNews.com Special Report: WikiLeaks

The secret U.S. Embassy memos published by WikiLeaks contain frank details on several leaders attending the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meeting in Astana.

"I have certainly raised the issue of the leaks in order to assure our colleagues that it will not in any way interfere with American diplomacy or our commitment to continuing important work that is ongoing," Clinton said.

"I have not any had any concerns expressed about whether any nation will not continue to work with and discuss matters of importance to us both going forward," she added.

The Obama administration has harshly criticized the leaking of the cables, saying the details in them could put lives at risk.

"I anticipate that there will be a lot of questions that people have every right and reason to ask, and we stand ready to discuss them at any time with our counterparts around the world," Clinton added.

Several officials at the summit echoed her comments.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who met Wednesday with Clinton, released a statement saying the "recent Wikileaks disclosures would not affect our uniquely strong relationship."

Kazakh Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, commenting on leaked U.S. cables about top officials in his own government, also said "this will have no bearing on our strategic relationship."

In an interview with Time magazine, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Clinton "should resign" if it's shown she ordered U.S. diplomats to gather information on other foreign officials, including those from the United Nations.

More on WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks Founder: Clinton Should Resign
Leaked Docs: Karzai Freed Connected Drug Dealers
WikiLeaks Sends U.S. Scrambling Over Security
Leaked Cables Reveal Locations of European Nukes
Hoekstra on WikiLeaks: "A Number of Time Bombs"
Outrage Over Wikileaks
The WikiLeaks Impact
WikiLeaks Releases State Dept. Documents
Key GOP Pol: WikiLeaks a Terrorist Group
Ahmadinejad Dismisses WikiLeaks Cable "Mischief"
U.S. Cables: Iran Armed Hezbollah Via Ambulances
Hoekstra: World's Trust in U.S. Now at Risk
U.S. Encouraged Diplomats to Spy, Leaks Show
Leaked Cables Shine Light on Iran Nuclear Threat
Worldwatch: Embarrassing Revelations Abound
Worldwatch: Diplomatic Shockers
White House Condemns WikiLeaks' Document Release
WikiLeaks Defies U.S., Releases Embassy Cables

[strikerF2]

Clinton can't make up her mind,one day its treason the next day its not harmful. Damn sounds like we are questioning Bill about Monica again,and we know how he lies.

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
Clinton: WikiLeaks Won't Hurt U.S. Diplomacy..

c'est s?r, " Hillary Clinton"
ces documents ont ?t? publi?s dans un but bien pr?cis, mais lequel ??
seul l'avenir le dira.
***********************************************************

sure, "Hillary Clinton"
these documents were published in a very specific purpose, but which one?
only time will tell.au revoir

[stn_sage]

Holy Moses! One day Clinton declares WikiLeaks is an attack upon America, with tremendous ramifications and damage, and the next day, that it won't hurt U.S. diplomacy! SO, which is it?! This reminds me of a book I read many years ago about the 'multiple faces of Eve'! I do wish she'd get her story straight, and then stick to it! You'd think these arrogant, overpaid professional politicians could at least do that, huh?!

[Cyber998]

It's a bit saddening that diplomats in such high positions and being paid such high salaries so often resort to such childish language. You can see why they didn't want these getting out, regardless of national security, it shows just how immature many senior officials are.

I would have expected extreme professionalism in their reports (they are highly paid professionals after all), but instead they talk in the language of children. No doubt too busy living it up in foreign countries on our tax dollars!

[YrWrongAgain]

You two could mess-up a two-person Human Centipede.

[wyodutch]

Well, WikiLeaks did expose how the House of Saud and our Masters in Tel-Avis are both singing "Onward Christian Soldiers"... "Onward to Iran."

Anyone for $7 a gallon gasoline?