Release them all, Government of Jamaica tells Gleaner
Published:Thursday | May 26, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
The Bruce Golding administration has dared The Gleaner to release all the US Embassy cables it has obtained through whistleblower WikiLeaks.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz mounted the challenge even as he put to rest speculation that the administration would be launching a legal attack against The Gleaner.
Vaz said The Gleaner newspaper must not be selective in its publishing of the exclusive information it has garnered through the cables.
"I challenge The Gleaner in the name of transparency and fairness to publish not only selective portions of the cables," he said during yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
"Since (The Gleaner) made a decision and entered into such an agreement, they must publish all correspondence and communiqués to avoid accusations of pursuing personal or political agendas," he added.
"When I say all, I mean all pertaining to the country Jamaica whether political parties, individuals or organisations," said Vaz emphatically.
"I am going to go further and since The Gleaner has entered into this arrangement, it should make all leaks pertaining to Jamaica public knowledge and have public access.
Within this context, Vaz challenged all media houses to access the cables (after they are published by The Gleaner in accordance with the arrangements) to ensure that fairness and transparency obtain.
wikileaks agreements
Vaz said it was well known that only a few highly reputable media organisations have entered into agreements with WikiLeaks.
"The Gleaner has decided to be among these few," the minister noted
Vaz also stressed that the United States government has categorically made it clear that the cables do not reflect its official position.
He said the US authorities have conveyed that the cables merely reflect the opinion of individuals within the embassy which most times could be deemed as speculative in nature.
"And, therefore, it is not the intention of the Government of Jamaica to respond to any of these leaks," he asserted.
Vaz cast aside queries about the Government's ongoing, shaky relationship with the US.
"I want to make it clear that this administration continues to value its strong historical, cultural and economic ties between the people and Government of Jamaica, and the people and government of the United States."
Vaz expressed confidence that the ties between the two countries were more durable than "the exigencies of dynamic diplomatic situations".