So Do We Have What We Need?

WASHINGTON

India's special envoy Virendra Dayal has received "key documents" that list former external affairs minister K. Natwar Singh and the Congress Party as beneficiaries of kickbacks in the Iraq oil-for-food scandal.

Mr. Dayal, who Prime Minister Manmohan Singh entrusted with the task of investigating a report on corruption in the Iraqi humanitarian programme that named Mr. Singh and the Congress Party, said he had "got all the essential and key documents required for further investigations and to arrive at the truth."

Speaking to reporters in New York he declined to comment on the content of the documents saying it would "prejudice the outcome" of the investigation. Mr. Dayal, who arrived in New York amid a shroud of secrecy last week, was accompanied by his special assistant Praveer Kumar, director of the Enforcement Directorate, Sudhir Nath, and Supreme Court lawyer Murlidhar.

A former under secretary general in the United Nations, Mr. Dayal met Paul Volcker, who heads the Independent Inquiry Committee that unearthed irregularities in the humanitarian programme, on Friday. On Monday, he met United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

He applauded the "swiftest and most comprehensive response" from the international community and the United Nations. According to Mr. Dayal, Mr. Annan had been "unhesitating" in his support and that within moments his team was given possession of the documents it sought. The Volcker committee had also ensured that the necessary waivers had been provided before the documents were handed over.

Many of these documents belong to the Iraqi Oil Ministry, however, they are not the only ones the Volcker committee relied on while conducting its investigation. Documents were taken from "multiple sources," according to officials, including from banks, intermediaries and foreign governments.

Asked whether the documents he received would be adequate to reach a definite conclusion in the investigation in India, Mr. Dayal said they would be a big help. He said he had received everything he needed for the time being. But, if on further scrutiny, it was found that some other documents are required he will return to New York for them.

Dismissing concerns about the authenticity of the documents, Mr. Dayal said he had received these straight from the Volcker committee, which he implied guaranteed their authenticity. "What we need we have... there is no doubting the authenticity of the documents," he said.

Mr. Dayal said the investigation had made a "good start," adding, "we got the key documents." The purpose of his team's visit to New York, he told reporters, has been met.

The Volcker committee sent its investigators to some countries to follow up the allegations against officials and companies eventually named in its report. Indian officials say it is not clear if anyone traveled to India. "This is a definite gray area," said a source.

Mr. Dayal did not comment on whether the committee had issued prior notice to Mr. Singh saying he could "not be so rash" as to discuss this before the investigation has been completed in India.

Officials said Mr. Dayal was firm India would not rely on other countries but conduct its own investigation into the report. He left for India on Wednesday night.

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice R.S. Pathak, who has also been appointed by the prime minister to investigate the charges against the former minister and the Congress Party, will now examine these documents before he comes to a conclusion on Natwar Singh's guilt.

It is the job of the Enforcement Directorate and Justice Pathak to do the investigating, a source said, adding, Mr. Dayal's role was simply to procure the documents.

The Volcker committee, meanwhile, has announced it will remain operational until the end of December 2005 to "assist duly authorized law enforcement and regulatory agencies in cases they may be pursuing."

All IIC documentation remains under the control of the committee until that time, a spokesperson for the panel said, adding, "The IIC is also making arrangements with the United Nations for the appropriate and orderly availability and disposition of committee materials following the year end." Mr. Annan has promised "full cooperation" with the Indian investigators.