In Central Asia, Clinton Condemns Leaks but Defends Openness

[struggle4progress]

Source: NY Times

By MARK LANDLER
Published: November 30, 2010

ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke about the virtues of an open society here on Tuesday, at the start of her first overseas trip since the release of thousands of confidential diplomatic cables containing blunt appraisals of foreign countries and leaders ...

As if to underline the awkwardness of the timing, Kazakhstan’s leaders are among those cited by American diplomats in the cables disclosed by WikiLeaks, with juicy descriptions of their lifestyles — from a private Elton John concert for the son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s president, to the president’s baronial horse farm, to a crazy night of club-hopping by the prime minister ...

But two prominent women who came to hear her speak at a university laughed off the issue, saying that disclosures about high-living leaders were old hat in their country, and that these would hurt neither the standing of the United States nor its relationship with Kazakhstan.

“It’s very entertaining reading,” said one of them, Aigul Solovyeva, a member of Parliament who credits Mrs. Clinton with inspiring her to enter politics. The other female politician, Battalova Zauresh, went further, saying, “It’s a confirmation of American leadership in global political issues” ...

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/world/asia/01diplo.html

[mike_c]

1. the "virtues of an open society"-- Oh, that's a good one, Hillary....

Spoken in the same breath as widespread calls to censor and shutdown WikiLeaks, and even to assassinate Assange. Ms Clinton's admiration of "openness" is certainly breathtaking. Breathtakingly hypocritical.

[struggle4progress]

3. Link please: when did the Secretary of State call for Assange's assassination?

[mike_c]

4. straw man....

Clinton has characterized WikiLeaks revelations in violent terms: ""Let's be clear: This disclosure is not just an attack on America's foreign policy interests," Clinton told journalists in the Treaty Room, an ornate Wedgewood-blue salon near her office. "It is an attack on the international community - the alliances and partnerships, the conversations and negotiations that safeguard global security and advance economic prosperity."

That's the sort of rhetoric that whips up the less reserved cockroaches who use it to justify calls for arrest or assassination. But that's alright-- you just go on believing that Clinton is a champion of open government if you like.

[Iowa]

6. +1

[hughee99]

2. Openness is great as long as you're airing out someone else's dirty laundry. n/t

[Lucinda]

5. Thanks for posting that...Was an interesting read.

:)

[fascisthunter]

7. lol... ya ok