Obama attracts criticism over 'Polish death camp' gaffe
US President Barack Obama referred to a "Polish death camp" on Tuesday during a ceremony at the White House while awarding the Medal of Freedom to Jan Karski, a Polish war hero.
A White House spokesman said the president "misspoke".
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called Mr Obama's words a "distortion of history", adding that he believed the US was "capable of a stronger reaction" than the White House statement.
On Tuesday, 12 others also received the Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honour, in recognition of their contribution to society.
30 May 2012
- From the section US & Canada