Whiteman weighs in on WikiLeaks

FORMER GOVERNMENT minister, Burchell Whiteman, has expressed his understanding of The Gleaner's decision to publish the controversial diplomatic cables from WikiLeaks.

However, he has warned that there is a balance which must be achieved.

"Yes, we need to be as transparent as possible; yes, taxpayers need to know, citizens need to know what their government is thinking and doing ... but I think there is also a matter of timing and selectivity in what is released to the public and when," Whiteman said yesterday on the Gleaner/Power 106 programme, 'Independent Talk'.

Could affect communication

Whiteman, who also served as Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, warned that the revelation of confidential cables from the US Embassy in Kingston could affect future communication between that mission and Washington.

"There is a balance to be struck and I'm not sure how to get that balance right.

"I believe that henceforward diplomats will be much more careful in their language and much more selective in what they share, which in a sense could be a disadvantage to the work that they do," Whiteman added.

The well-respected former People's National Party politician sought to explain his concern about the timing of the publications.

"There are some things which, even given a lapse of time, will have an entirely different effect on the population as a whole than if they are released at the instance they become available," Whiteman said.