Inside WikiLeaks

nicht der optimale Weg, aber wir wollten klarmachen, dass WL kurz vor einer Meuterei stand. Und deshalb nutzten wir den kleinen technischen Vorteil, den wir besaßen. Nichts Böses, nichts Essentielles, es ging mehr um die Symbolkraft.
    Die Techniker schalteten am Abend des 25. August das System in den Wartungsmodus. Das war ohnehin nötig. Das Submission -System, die Mails, der Chat, das alles blieb online. Nur das Wiki war down. Und wir schickten eine Twitter-Meldung raus, dass es sich um vorübergehende Instandhaltungsarbeiten handelte. Außerdem änderten wir das Passwort für den Twitter-Account und den Zugang zu den Mails. Wir wollten ihn aufrütteln. Julian schaltete als Reaktion darauf beleidigt das gesamte System ab. Wir gaben ziemlich direkt klein bei, fuhren das Wiki wieder hoch und gaben ihm die Passwörter.
    Am nächsten Tag erschien ein Artikel in Newsweek, in dem von »internen Querelen« bei WL zu lesen war. Ich hatte von dem Artikel noch nichts gehört, bis mich Julian nachmittags im Chat darauf ansprach. Er war der Meinung, dass ich diese Aussage gestreut hätte. Ich hatte nie mit dem Newsweek -Reporter geredet, ich kannte ihn nicht einmal. Ursprünglich hatte ich Julian fragen wollen, was unsere Abmachungen mit den Medien bezüglich des geplanten Irak-Releases waren:
    D: what are the agreements re iraq? i need to understand what the plan is there, and what the constraints are
    J: »A person in close contact with other WikiLeaks activists around Europe, who asked for anonymity when discussing a sensitive topic, says that many of them were privately concerned that Assange has continued to spread allegations of dirty tricks and hint at conspiracies against him without justification. Insiders say that some people affiliated with the website are already brainstorming whether there might be some way to persuade their front man to step aside, or failing that, even to oust him.«
    D: what does that have to do with me?
    D: and where is this from?
    J: Why do you think it has something to do with you?
    D: probably because you alleg this was me
    D: but other than that just about nothing
    D: as discussed yesterday, this is an ongoing discussion that lots of people have voiced concern about
    D: you should face this, rather than trying to shoot at the only person that even cares to be honest about it towards you
    J: No, three people have »relayed« your messages already.
    D: what messages?
    D: and what three people?
    D: this issue was discussed
    D: A [Architect] and i talked about it, Hans* talked about it, B talked about it, Peter* talked about it
    D: lots of people that care for this project have issued that precise suggestion
    D: its not me that is spreading this message
    D: it would just be the natural step to take
    D: and thats what pretty much anyone says
    J: Was this you?
    D : i didnt speak to newsweek or other media representatives about this
    D : i spoke to people we work with and that have an interest in and care about this project
    D : and there is nothing wrong about this
    D : it'd actually be needed much more, and i can still only recommend you to finally start listening to such concerns
    D : especially when one fuckup is happening after the other
    J : who, exactly?
    D : who exactly what?
    J : Who have you spoken to about this issue?
    D : i already told you up there
    J : those are the only persons?
    D : some folks from the club have asked me about it and i have issued that i think this would be the best behaviour
    D : thats my opinion
    D : and this is also in light to calm down the anger there [...]
    J : how many people at the club?
    D : i dont have to answer to you on this j
    D : this debate is fuckin all over the place, and no one understands why you go into denial[...]
    J : How many people at the club?
    J : In what venue?
    D : in private chats
    D : but i will not answer anymore of these questions
    D : face the fact that you have not much trust on the inside anymore
    D : and that just denying it or putting it away as a campaign against you will not change that it is solely a consequence of your actions
    D : and not mine
    J : How many people are represented by these private chats? And what are there positions in the CCC?
    D : go figure
    D : i dont even wanna think about how many people that used to respect you told me that they feel disappointed by your reactions
    D : i tried to tell you all this, but in all your hybris you dont even care
    D : so i dont care anymore either
    D : other than that, i