U.S. Defends Poland Alliance After Leaked Tape Scandal

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (file photo)

The State Department said on June 23 that U.S.-Polish ties are very solid, refusing to comment on a purported recording of critical remarks attributed to Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

Spokeswoman Marie Harf said she couldn't confirm the recording's authenticity or background and added that the United States and Poland "have an incredibly strong relationship."

Polish magazine "Wprost" reported on June 22 it has audio recordings of Sikorski dismissing Warsaw's ties with the United States as "worthless."

Sikorski, meanwhile, has said an "organized criminal group" attacked the government by leaking the recordings of private conversations by officials.

Last week, "Wprost" set off a political storm when it released audio suggesting the government had cut a deal with the central bank to boost the budget and garner political support.

Sikorski's name has come up as a possible successor to Catherine Ashton, whose term as European Union foreign policy chief ends this year.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP