The United Nations said today it is not in a position to comment on the authenticity of the document disclosed by the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks on information-gathering activities on UN officials and activities.

Don't miss

"The UN is by its very nature a transparent organization that makes a great deal of information about its activities available to the public and Member States. UN officials regularly meet representatives of Member States to brief them on UN activities," Farhan Haq, spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told reporters in New York.

The documents allege that senior United States officials encouraged US diplomats to collect information on UN officials and their activities.

Mr. Haq said that the UN "relies on the adherence by Member States" to the various undertakings contained in the UN Charter, the Headquarters Agreement and the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN.

He added that the Secretary-General was informed by the US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, about the documents before they became public.