John Young at Cryptome had the following exchange with George Soros’ Open Society Institute (ISI) about Wikileaks.  I’m posting it below, although, to my mind, if there were a link it’s unlikely to be one so obvious. Still, since Wayne Madsen made the claim, I think it’s fair to follow up on it.

Note: The denial specifies ‘the Open Society Foundations‘; Young’s question addresses ‘the OSI or other initiatives funded by George Soros. It’s not clear to me that the foundations are the only Soros initiatives or that OSI is the only way funding might reach someone. However, since at least one group denies funding, that is a score for Wikileaks.

Also note that John Young has been quite scathing of people who smear Wikileaks from ulterior motives, claiming that one or two of Al Jazeera’s correspondents, while claiming to be asking on behalf of AJ, might be pursuing other agendas.

Dear Ms. Viczian,

This is the second time Al Jazeera has misled me into providing
information under guise of being interviewed for an appearance.

Claire Clark of Al Jazeera did the same on July 30, 2010. Her
initial message below, followed by telephone calls asking urgently
for more information, just as you have, claiming a deadline was near.

Ms. Clark lost her temper on the telephone at my accusation, but could
not effectively deny it, instead sceamed at me about her reputation
and accomplishments. I reminded that flaunting reputation is also
part of the tactic to conceal ulterior motives. I told he she was
lying about her reputation. That set off another scream of fake
outrage.

These are a common tactics employed by intelligence and law enforcement
agencies. I told Ms. Clark and I tell you, you are liars, working on behalf
of undisclosed parties under disguise of Al Jazeera. 

These are unbelievable pretenses, although that is a trademark of
Al Jazeera.

John Young
Cryptome.org

I’ve had similar experiences. Someone calls up pretending they want an interview. They interview at length…taking information and research..and then you never hear from them, or a miniscule amount of the interview appears somewhere, only to be later deleted. Meanwhile, you have worked for nothing…

Professional journalists (if one dares to give them that title) are some of the most ignorant, arrogant, and ethically- challenged “professionals” around, and yet, they are the filters through which most of us get to see the world. A truly frightening thought.

Either way, credible or not credible, the end result of all the leaking seems to me more confusion rather than less..

CRYPTOME:

10 August 2010

Subject: FW: Site Submission From Contact Us Form
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:31:36 -0400
From: “Amy P. Weil” <AWeil[at]sorosny.org>
To: <cryptome[at]earthlink.net>Dear John Young,

Thank you for your query.

The Open Society Foundations do not support Wikileaks.org.

Best regards,

Amy Weil

soros-osi-2006.zip    George Soros OSI Foundation Tax Report 2006      August 10, 2010 (5.7MB)
soros-osi-2007.zip    George Soros OSI Foundation Tax Report 2007      August 10, 2010 (5.7MB)

9 August 2010. A has provided Soros Open Society Institute Foundation 2008 Tax Report:

soros-osi-2008.zip    George Soros OSI Foundation Tax Report 2008      August 9, 2010 (6.7MB)

No obvious mention of Wikileaks in the report.

9 August 2010

---

George Soros Open Society Institute Inquiry on Wikileaks

A writes:

I’ve been following coverage of Wikileaks’ release of the Afghan Diaries closely, and have admired your skepticism. I feel firmly we are on the same page. However, I would like to make an attempt to clear some possible disinformation that is floating about. While it’s obvious that the “diaries” are a mix of propaganda and publicly available information, I do suspect the entire operation is funded from a controlling interest.

Thank you for taking the time to read this far, and allow me to voice my concern. Many are running with the claim that Wikileaks was funded by The Open Society Institute. (Soros connection). I, myself, suspected the same, after Declan’s CNET interview with you…

“Operating a Web site to post leaked documents isn’t very expensive (Young estimates he spends a little over $100 a month for Cryptome’s server space). So when other Wikileaks founders started to talk about the need to raise $5 million and complained that an initial round of publicity had affected “our delicate negotiations with the Open Society Institute and other funding bodies,” Young says, he resigned from the effort.”

However, judging by that article, it’s just not clear to me, whether or not Open Society Institute, in fact, provided funding for Wikileaks.

---

Cryptome request submitted 9 August 2010 to:

http://www.soros.org/contact

Does the Open Society Institute or other initiatives financed by Mr. George Soros support Wikileaks.org, its staff, supporters or its affiliates, either directly or indirectly though other parties.

If financial or other support is provided could you describe it: extent, time frame, terms and conditions?

Your response will be published on the public education website Cryptome.org of which I am the administrator.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

John Young
Cryptome.org
251 West 89th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-873-8700

---

Response to inquiry submission:

Contact

Thank you for contacting the Open Society Institute. Your message has been forwarded to the appropriate department for review.

We make every effort possible to respond to all inquiries—and in a timely fashion. However, due to the volume of email received, we cannot guarantee a response to every message.

General information about OSI and the Soros foundations network may be found in the About Us section of this website. Specific information about OSI programs and projects may be found in the Initiatives section.

---

And a related inquiry faxed to the CIA 9 August 2010:

http://www.foia.cia.gov/sample_request_letter.asp

9 August 2010

By mail and fax to: (703) 613-3007

Information and Privacy Coordinator
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505

Dear Coordinator:

Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. subsection 552, I am requesting information or records on Wikileaks.org, Julian Assange and others unknown associated with Wikileaks and its affiliates.

Please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees do not exceed $1,000.00, which I agree to pay.

If you deny all or any part of this request, please cite each specific exemption you think justifies your refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available under the law.

Information or records provided by you will be published on the public education website Cryptome.org for which I am the administrator.

If you have any questions about handling this request, you may telephone me at (212) 873-8700.

Sincerely,

John Young
Cryptome.org
251 West 89th Street
New York, NY 10024