Wikileaks founder Julian Assange declined Monday to say whether Wikileaks is attempting to obtain classified documents from NSA leaker Edward Snowden because it is a “sourcing matter.” Assange discussed the organization’s relationship with Snowden during a conference call with reporters discussing Wikileaks’ role in Snowden’s attampts to seek asylum.
“That is a sourcing matter so, as a matter of policy, I can’t speak about it,” Assange said. “In relation to publishing such material, of course, Wikileaks is in the business of publishing documents that have been suppressed by governments.”
Assange was also asked whether technical problems at Wikileaks could prevent the organization from publishing any documents it might acquire from Snowden. He denied the organization has any technical problems that currently prevent it from publishing.
“Wikileaks has no problem publishing material,” said Assange.
Wikileaks is advising Snowden and said he is seeking asylum from Ecuador and, potentially, other countries. Snowden departed Hong Kong for Moscow on Sunday. Assange said the organization is aware of his current whereabouts but declined to disclose them.
