As I wrote a few weeks ago it has become apparent that the motivation behind Wikileaks is not the uncovering of corruption or other official abuses (although that might motivate some of their sources) but rather the disruption of the normal functioning of government, on the basis of an anarchist/libertarian ideology.

The recent resignation of US ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, is a good example of that situation, as well as for the fact that the world’s politicians are not mature enough to simply ignore Wikileaks’ provocation — which would no doubt be the best and wisest reaction.

As ORF Online reports Ambassador Pascual had told his superiors in Washington’s State Department that Mexico’s military leadership was not adequately prepared when Mexican President Calderon sent them into a war against the drug cartels in December 2006. When Wikileaks revealed that assessment President Calderon apparently demanded Pascual’s recall.

Here’s what I think:

1. It is the job of diplomats to make such judgments and to communicate them to their superiors. After all, that is a major reason for maintaining embassies and ambassadors in foreign countries: to have someone on the ground who can provide information and assessments you wouldn’t get from the press and which you wouldn’t expect the host country to volunteer.
2. If such assessments are honest, they will — more often than not — displease the host country and its government; so confidentiality is essential and morally justified.
3. Of course this particular assessment it not particularly flattering for Mexico’s military establishment, and also calls into question President Calderon’s judgment; the Mexicans’ reaction suggests that the assessment was not entirely inaccurate — or they wouldn’t be in quite such a huff about it.
4. Apparently it is more important for President Calderon to act out his injured feelings by demanding the recall of the cheeky ambassador, than to thwart the mischief intended by Wikileaks by suppressing his feelings and simply ignoring the whole affair. This is exactly how my boys reacted to insults when they were about four years old …

Posted on: 21st March, 2011

Filed under: Blog English, Politics, U.S Politics

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