Post date: Feb 07, 2014 3:57:0 PM
EU Commission declines to comment on leaks of a recording of U.S. diplomats discussing how to shape a new government in Kiev, saying the calls are "not part of the toolbox" used in their efforts to support Ukraine.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FEBRUARY 7, 2014) (REUTERS) - The EU Commission on Friday (February 7) declined to comment on a leaked conversation between a United States State Department official and the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine that was posted on YouTube and which revealed an embarrassing exchange on U.S. strategy for a political transition in that country, including a crude American swipe at the European Union.
"We don't comment on the content of alleged intercepted communications as a position of principal we don't comment on these sort of leaks. What I can say is that intercepted private conversations is not part of the toolbox that we use in our efforts to assist Ukraine because that is what we are focussed on and we are and will remain fully engaged with all our international partners, co-ordinating our efforts and organisations also which are entrusted in a political and peaceful solution to the current crisis," EU Commission spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde told a news conference in Brussels.Outside the EU commission building, Brussels' residents disapproved of the exchange.
"What shocked me the most in the conversation was to hear two American officials discussing what should be the government of Ukraine. That's what I find more shocking. Their contempt for the European Union does not come as a surprise. But it's not very democratic to discuss what the government of another country should be," said Marc Botenga, a Belgian NGO worker.
Belgian student Sylvain Leclerq said he felt the comments were disrespectful, but in keeping with a system that respects freedom of expression.
The leaked conversation appeared certain to embarrass the United States and seemed designed to bolster charges - from Russia, among others - that the Ukrainian opposition is being manipulated by Washington, which President Barack Obama's administration strenuously disputes.
U.S. accusations that Russia helped publicize the taped conversation also threatened Washington's already tense relationship with Moscow.
"I'm not up to date with the issue. But it does not surprise me, it does not shock me. I don't see it as out of the ordinary," said Piri Lavandera, an EU worker from Spain.
The audio clip, which was posted on Tuesday but gained wide circulation on Thursday, appears to show the official, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, weighing in on the make-up of the next Ukrainian government.
Nuland is heard telling U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt that she doesn't think Vitaly Klitschko, the boxer-turned-politician who is a main opposition leader, should be in a new government.
U.S. officials, while declining to confirm the recording's contents, did not dispute its authenticity.