U.S.: 'Irresponsible' WikiLeaks Puts Lives At Risk

The U.S. State Department has said that whistle-blower website WikiLeaks' plans to post masses of confidential U.S. government are "irresponsible."

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said that "It will place lives and interests at risk. It is irresponsible."

He said that the United States was "gearing up for the worst-case scenario," and Washington had been briefing governments about the leak.

Crowley said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has reached out to leaders in Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, France, and Afghanistan.

WikiLeaks is expected to put online some 3 million leaked cables covering U.S. dealings and its confidential views of other countries. Many fear it will embarrass the United States and its allies and reveal sensitive details.

Australia has also condemned WikiLeaks' behavior as "reckless."

compiled from agency reports