Talking With WikiLeaks?

Is the US Army really trying to engage with WikiLeaks?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday the U.S. Army has expressed willingness to discuss the online whistleblower's request for help in reviewing classified documents from the Afghan war and removing information that could harm civilians.

"This week we received contact through our lawyers that the General Counsel of the U.S. Army says now that they want to discuss the issue," Assange told The Associated Press by telephone.

There was no immediate comment from Washington.

WikiLeaks has asked the Pentagon for help in reviewing the documents to purge the names of Afghan informants from the files. Last week, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said he was not aware of any effort by department officials to contact WikiLeaks.

Assange said Wednesday that "contact has been established" but added it was not clear whether and how the U.S. Army would assist WikiLeaks. The General Counsel is the chief lawyer of the U.S. Army.

"It is always positive for parties to talk to each other," Assange said. "We welcome their engagement."

By: Brant