Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, expressed regret about the release of thousands of confidential diplomatic correspondences released on Sunday, saying that such disclosures “tear at the fabric” of the US government’s ability to function.
The US has announced fresh measures to prevent large-scale leaks of sensitive data as it struggles to cope with the continuing publication of some 250,000 government documents by WikiLeaks.
Eric Holder, attorney general, said the US had an “active ongoing criminal investigation” into the latest leak, which has involved diplomatic cables that go back to 1966 and cover US dealings with the rest of the world, and assessments of foreign leaders. He added: “This is not sabre-rattling.”