Cash-strapped WikiLeaks suspends operations

LONDON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Whistle-blowing Web site WikiLeaks is suspending publishing operations to raise new money, founder Julian Assange said in London Monday.

During a news conference, Assange said a banking blockade cost WikiLeaks 95 percent of its revenue, The Guardian reported.

The Web site, which published hundreds of thousands of U.S. diplomatic and military communications last year, was running low on cash because of "an arbitrary and unlawful financial blockade" by the Bank of America, Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Western Union, Assange said.

"We are forced to temporarily suspend publishing whilst we secure our economic survival. For almost a year we have been fighting an unlawful financial blockade," WikiLeaks posted on its Web site. "We cannot allow giant U.S. finance companies to decide how the whole world votes with its pocket. Our battles are costly. We need your support to fight back. Please donate now."

Assange said WikiLeaks received about $139,300 in donations a month during 2010, but contributions have fallen to about $8,400 to $9,800 a month this year.