Pentagon asks media not to publish WikiLeak documents on Iraq

Describing WikiLeak as an irresponsible organisation, Pentagon spokesman Col David lapan told reporters in an off camera briefing that publication of such sensitive documents by the mainstream media would provide legitimacy to the whistleblower.

Lapan maintained that these classified documents are properties of the Department of Defense and WikiLeak should not publish them. WikiLeaks, which earlier released 77,000 classified documents related to the Afghan war, and is planning to release 400,000 documents on the Iraq war.

In anticipation of the new classified documents likely to be made public soon, Pentagon yesterday said that it has established a 120-man working group to review these documents. Lapan said it has no information when the WikiLeak would post these documents, but said this time it is ready with its team.