WikiLeaks has documents akin to 'thermo nuclear device'

LONDON/MELBOURNE: Internet whistleblower WikiLeaks is holding back secret material, which it regards as "thermo nuclear device" to be released if it needed to protect itself as Australia said it would provide consular services to the organisation's founder Julian Assange if arrested.

Warning that Assange's legal pursuit in Sweden had "political motivations", his lawyer Marx Stephens said that WikiLeaks still held secret material which would be released if it needed to protect itself.

"The material being held back is like a thermo nuclear device", Stephens told BBC and said Assange would fight attempts to take him to Sweden to face rape allegations.

"Moves against my client seems a political stunt by a state that allowed US rendition flights", Stephens said, adding that the entire case against Assange had been dropped by Sweden's chief prosecutor in September.

It is only after the intervention of a Swedish politician that a new prosecutor had launched fresh warrants and which led to notice being put out by Interpol.

The WikiLeaks chief is said to be in hiding in England. And when asked if Assange feared for his life, his lawyer said, "it's interesting to note people as high up the American tree as Sarah Palin have called for him to be hunted down by American special forces and assassinated".

Meanwhile, the Australian government has said the country would provide consular help to WikiLeaks' founder if he is arrested abroad.

However, the administration condemned the publication of secret US diplomatic documents, saying doing so threatens the security of the United States and its allies.

Attorney General Robert McClelland told reporters today that WikiLeaks was grossly irresponsible for publishing the documents because they could identify informants.

Still, he says WikiLeaks founder Assange is entitled to return to his home country and to receive consular help from Australian officials if he is arrested overseas.

Assange, who is in Britain, is wanted for questioning in Sweden over allegations including rape and sexual molestation.