The latest twist to the tale of Wikileaks, a website set up leak documents from the US government, is that a Republican Congressman has called for it to be labeled a terrorist organization.

There are various leaks, some of them of public interest, and others that are mere gossip reading. One of the most ‘dangerous’ leaks, the US says was the revelations that Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah urged the US to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange (who has a background in computer hacking), said the US authorities were afraid of being held to account. The White House said the release was “reckless” and put the lives of diplomats and others at risk.

The leaks disclose profiling of world leaders. US officials are said to have described Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as feckless, vain and ineffective, sharing a close relationship with “alpha dog” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France is said to be thin-skinned and authoritarian, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel is described as risk-averse. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is referred to as “extremely weak” and susceptible to conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya always travels with a “voluptuous blonde” Ukrainian nurse, according to one of the cables. Concerns aired include the security of Pakistani nuclear material that could fall into the wrong hands, allowing militants to make an atomic weapon. The widespread use of computer hacking by China’s government is also reported.

In a statement, the White House said: “Such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals, and people around the world who come to the United States for assistance in promoting democracy and open government.

“President Obama supports responsible, accountable, and open government at home and around the world, but this reckless and dangerous action runs counter to that goal.”

There is a very fine line between uncovering the truth and putting lives in danger. Perhaps more than anything, the White House is red faced because its systems were hacked. While, perhaps, the world will find it ‘fun’ to read about Sarkozy, Berlusconi and co, this newspaper finds no legal or moral justification of posting leaks that could have an adverse effect on international stability. Moreover, we do not believe that posting these leaks online is correct, when it could put the lives of servicemen (and/or diplomats) in danger. Whether we like it or not, the world is in global conflict (albeit by means of subterfuge) and we must remain alert and vigilant. Though on the other hand, some of the leaks were harmless, interesting and fun.