Gul suggests WikiLeaks has ulterior motives in releasing US diplomatic documents

The whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks may have some ulterior motive in its new release of confidential US diplomatic documents, President Abdullah Gul suggested yesterday, adding that some of the characterizations contained in the leaked cables are provisional or mistaken. "When we look at the effects created so far (by WikiLeaks), I think it has a system. It seems that it has an aim," Gul told reporters before leaving for an international meeting in Kazakhstan . "But it wouldn't be right to say something conclusive at this point. We'll see what comes and what's released later." He added, "There are some (allegations) about Turkey ... (But) they can't harm the importance we place on the political power in Turkey and our old friendships." The president stressed that the descriptions of Turkey and Turkish officials in the leaked cables were the personal views of US diplomats at various levels, not the official line. "Just as you evaluate things and people every day, they, too, evaluate and send (these opinions) to their headquarters," Gul said, citing his own past experience as foreign minister. "Some of them may be accurate and some of them mistaken. This should be understood first."