WikiLeaks: No Release Date Set for Iraqi Documents

(Oct. 19) -- The head of WikiLeaks says that the release of tens of thousands of documents related to the U.S. war in Iraq has not been delayed, insisting instead there never was a release date to begin with.

In an unusual departure from the short -- and often enigmatic -- Twitter messages that WikiLeaks typically issues to provide news and updates on its activities, the controversial head of the online transparency organization wrote a long post denouncing reports published on Wired.com.

WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange accused the online news site, associated with Wired magazine, of being the only source for a claimed release date of Oct. 18, which was then picked up by scores of other media sources. "Over 700 articles, newspapers all over the world, and newswires fooled by a tabloid blog -- and each other," Assange wrote in an extended post at TwitLonger, accusing Wired of having a bias against the organization.

Assange insists no date was ever set. "WikiLeaks does not speak about upcoming releases [sic] dates, indeed, with very rare exceptions we do not communicate any specific information about upcoming releases, since that simply provides fodder for abusive organizations to get their spin machines ready," Assange wrote.

The WikiLeaks editor, who has been embroiled in controversy over rape allegations in Sweden, has made public comments on the timing of releases in the past. In August, he told The Associated Press that WikiLeaks was preparing for the release of 15,000 additional Afghan war documents, in addition to the more than 70,000 documents released earlier this year. "It should be approximately two weeks before that process is complete," Assange told AP.

Those additional documents, however, have not been released yet.

In preparation for the expected release, the Pentagon has a team of 120 people ready to comb through the documents to determine the impact of the leak. Reuters reported today that Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan also warned the media not to republish the leaked documents, if and when they are released.

"News organizations should be cautioned not to facilitate the leaking of classified documents with this disreputable organization known as WikiLeaks," Lapan told Reuters.

Assange, who frequently lashes out at the Pentagon, instead focused his criticism on two Wired.com blogs -- Threat Level and Danger Room -- that have reported frequently on WikiLeaks (this reporter is a contributor to Danger Room, but has not reported there on WikiLeaks this year). Wired.com's Threat Level blog was the first to reveal that Bradley Manning, an Army soldier, was being detained in connection with his suspected involvement with leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks.

Wired.com's Kevin Poulsen responded to Assange's allegations, denying any bias and noting that the Oct. 18 date was sourced to an ex-staffer of WikiLeaks.

"We stand by that report," Wired.com's Poulsen wrote in response to Assange's accusations. "Assange is in control of his own publication dates, and it's no surprise that he would opt to delay the Iraq release until his website, which has been down for 'scheduled maintenance' since September, is again functioning."

Assange did not immediately respond to e-mail queries from AOL News.