WikiLeaks claims that "multiple U.S. sources" have said "John Kerry asked Ecuador to stop Assange from publishing Clinton docs." (Image: bitsuguatsupuziyapan/flickr/cc)
Oct 19, 2016
The Ecuadorian government has confirmed that it "temporarily" cut off internet access for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in the country's embassy in London since 2012, over fears that recent leaks were improperly influencing the 2016 presidential election.
In an official statement released Tuesday, Ecuador stated that it "respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states. It does not interfere in external electoral processes, nor does it favor any particular candidate."
"Accordingly," the statement continued, "Ecuador has exercised its sovereign right to temporarily restrict access to some of its private communications network within its Embassy in the United Kingdom. This temporary restriction does not prevent the WikiLeaks organization from carrying out its journalistic activities."
WikiLeaks first reported on Monday that Assange's internet connection had been "intentionally severed by a state party."
While the government's statement insisted that "Ecuador's foreign policy responds to sovereign decisions alone and does not yield to pressure from other states," WikiLeaks claimed otherwise on Twitter on Tuesday:
\u201cBREAKING: Multiple US sources tell us John Kerry asked Ecuador to stop Assange from publishing Clinton docs during FARC peace negotiations.\u201d— WikiLeaks (@WikiLeaks) 1476797011
The State Department denied the allegation, with spokesman John Kirby telling the Associated Press in an email: "While our concerns about WikiLeaks are longstanding, any suggestion that Secretary Kerry or the State Department were involved in shutting down WikiLeaks is false."
The AP further reported that deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a news briefing that "Kerry never even raised the issue or met with [Ecuadorian President Rafael] Correa during his visit to Colombia."
Meanwhile, WikiLeaks continues to drop the latest installments in its ongoing #PodestaEmails dump, with messages hacked from the account of Hillary Clinton campaign adviser John Podesta.
The most recent leaks include Clinton's long list for vice presidential candidates; more evidence of the Clinton campaign's disdain for former rival Bernie Sanders; and cozy messages between political operatives and the press.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
The Ecuadorian government has confirmed that it "temporarily" cut off internet access for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in the country's embassy in London since 2012, over fears that recent leaks were improperly influencing the 2016 presidential election.
In an official statement released Tuesday, Ecuador stated that it "respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states. It does not interfere in external electoral processes, nor does it favor any particular candidate."
"Accordingly," the statement continued, "Ecuador has exercised its sovereign right to temporarily restrict access to some of its private communications network within its Embassy in the United Kingdom. This temporary restriction does not prevent the WikiLeaks organization from carrying out its journalistic activities."
WikiLeaks first reported on Monday that Assange's internet connection had been "intentionally severed by a state party."
While the government's statement insisted that "Ecuador's foreign policy responds to sovereign decisions alone and does not yield to pressure from other states," WikiLeaks claimed otherwise on Twitter on Tuesday:
\u201cBREAKING: Multiple US sources tell us John Kerry asked Ecuador to stop Assange from publishing Clinton docs during FARC peace negotiations.\u201d— WikiLeaks (@WikiLeaks) 1476797011
The State Department denied the allegation, with spokesman John Kirby telling the Associated Press in an email: "While our concerns about WikiLeaks are longstanding, any suggestion that Secretary Kerry or the State Department were involved in shutting down WikiLeaks is false."
The AP further reported that deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a news briefing that "Kerry never even raised the issue or met with [Ecuadorian President Rafael] Correa during his visit to Colombia."
Meanwhile, WikiLeaks continues to drop the latest installments in its ongoing #PodestaEmails dump, with messages hacked from the account of Hillary Clinton campaign adviser John Podesta.
The most recent leaks include Clinton's long list for vice presidential candidates; more evidence of the Clinton campaign's disdain for former rival Bernie Sanders; and cozy messages between political operatives and the press.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
The Ecuadorian government has confirmed that it "temporarily" cut off internet access for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in the country's embassy in London since 2012, over fears that recent leaks were improperly influencing the 2016 presidential election.
In an official statement released Tuesday, Ecuador stated that it "respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states. It does not interfere in external electoral processes, nor does it favor any particular candidate."
"Accordingly," the statement continued, "Ecuador has exercised its sovereign right to temporarily restrict access to some of its private communications network within its Embassy in the United Kingdom. This temporary restriction does not prevent the WikiLeaks organization from carrying out its journalistic activities."
WikiLeaks first reported on Monday that Assange's internet connection had been "intentionally severed by a state party."
While the government's statement insisted that "Ecuador's foreign policy responds to sovereign decisions alone and does not yield to pressure from other states," WikiLeaks claimed otherwise on Twitter on Tuesday:
\u201cBREAKING: Multiple US sources tell us John Kerry asked Ecuador to stop Assange from publishing Clinton docs during FARC peace negotiations.\u201d— WikiLeaks (@WikiLeaks) 1476797011
The State Department denied the allegation, with spokesman John Kirby telling the Associated Press in an email: "While our concerns about WikiLeaks are longstanding, any suggestion that Secretary Kerry or the State Department were involved in shutting down WikiLeaks is false."
The AP further reported that deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a news briefing that "Kerry never even raised the issue or met with [Ecuadorian President Rafael] Correa during his visit to Colombia."
Meanwhile, WikiLeaks continues to drop the latest installments in its ongoing #PodestaEmails dump, with messages hacked from the account of Hillary Clinton campaign adviser John Podesta.
The most recent leaks include Clinton's long list for vice presidential candidates; more evidence of the Clinton campaign's disdain for former rival Bernie Sanders; and cozy messages between political operatives and the press.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.