... I won't legitimise stolen property

THE GOVERNMENT has rejected a suggestion that diplomatic cables from the United States be tabled in Parliament.

The minister with responsibility for information, Daryl Vaz, told journalists during yesterday's weekly post-Cabinet press briefing that the suggestion, made by this newspaper in an editorial on Monday, was disingenuous.

"Neither I, nor the Government of Jamaica, has entered into any agreement to access information through WikiLeaks and neither are we so inclined," Vaz said.

He added: "It is, therefore, disingenuous in the very least for the editorial to lead by saying Mr Vaz should lead by tabling the leaked cables. I cannot table in Parliament what I do not own, possess nor I am legally authorised to use. In Jamaica, only The Gleaner has access and the licensed right to action these stolen correspondence."

The Gleaner, through its editorial on Monday, commended Vaz for his commitment to openness and transparency in government, as was implied by his urging of the newspaper for full, uncensored publication of all the diplomatic cables it received from the whistle-blowing organisation, WikiLeaks.

"We believe that is a fair interpretation of Mr Vaz's position when he called, "in the name of transparency and fairness", for us "to publish not only selective portions of the cables" sent by US diplomats in Kingston to the US State Department between 2005 and 2010," the editorial stated.

It also noted that the newspaper, unlike legislators, does not have absolute immunity from defamation action, a cover provided by Parliament.

defiant vaz

But a defiant Vaz, despite calling for the full publication of the cables, insisted he would not attempt to take them to Parliament.

"I will not use the high office of Parliament to legitimise stolen and ill-gotten property that have in effect placed members of the diplomatic community in an awkward position," Vaz said.

He said this was a result of the diplomats "having their private and confidential discourse splattered daily across the front page of The Gleaner, causing them anxiety and embarrassment, especially about out strongest ally, the United States of America."

The minister, when asked whether the diplomats have told him about the unease of which he spoke said no.

"That is more a perception. I have not had any one-on-one discussions with any member of the US, but definitely it can't be something that anyone would be comfortable with - having your bedroom stories and actions being carried out," Vaz said.