Ukraine Asks U.S. to Hand Over Tapes on Arms Sale

Ukraine’s top prosecutor called on U.S. officials Wednesday to hand over tape recordings that Washington says indicate that the former Soviet state might have sold arms to Iraq with the approval of President Leonid D. Kuchma.

Washington suspended some aid to Kiev last month after the U.S. said it had authenticated portions of tapes made by Kuchma’s former bodyguard in which the veteran leader allegedly gives the go-ahead to sell a radar system to Iraq.

But Prosecutor General Svyatoslav Pyskun said Washington had then shut the door on Ukraine, refusing to allow Ukrainian experts to inspect the tapes and prove that Kiev had not violated a U.N. prohibition on arms sales to Baghdad.

“We are ready to invite any expert to check, but ... give us the original. They are offering us only edited versions,” he said, adding that he was sure Ukraine had not sold arms to Iraq.

Kuchma, who is also under pressure over charges of corruption and alleged ties to the slaying of a journalist, has repeatedly denied selling arms to Iraq and has vowed to cooperate with any probe.