The Hindu : National : Congress maintains it is not a beneficiary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 30, 2005

National

National

Congress maintains it is not a beneficiary

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday denied it was a "non-contractual beneficiary'' of the United Nations oil-for-food programme in Iraq as has been listed in the Volcker Committee report on the administration and management of the programme. The party is exploring the possibility of legal recourse under international law after examining the report in detail.

But the Congress was silent on External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh — who has been separately named as a "non-contractual beneficiary'' in the report — on the plea that he had issued a separate statement from Frankfurt.

At a special briefing called to respond to the reference made to the Congress in the report, party spokesman Anand Sharma said: "We reject and deny any direct or indirect connection. The Congress has always upheld the highest traditions in our democracy. We are transparent in our approach. We are pained that such an incorrect reference has been made.''

Mr. Sharma said legal experts were examining the report and the possibility of legal recourse would be explored. Asked whether the Congress was questioning the authenticity of the report, he said: "We are confining ourselves to what has been attributed to the party. I'm only questioning the veracity of the reference made to the Congress.''

While Mr. Sharma's suo moto statement made no mention of Mr. Singh, his response to questions on the party's silence on the Minister's role was: "I'm here to speak for the Congress. The Minister and other Indians named in the report will speak and answer for themselves. He has already issued a statement and is due to return soon. I cannot add or comment on his statement.''

As for the Janata Dal (United)'s demand for Sonia Gandhi's resignation from party presidentship and United Progressive Alliance chairpersonship and Mr. Singh's dismissal from the Cabinet — the latter was echoed by the Bharatiya Janata Party — Mr. Sharma said: "Let them answer for the skeletons in their cupboard — Jaya Jaitley of the JD(U) and Bangaru Lakshman of the BJP. This is only a ghost.''

But despite public posture of total denial, sources within the Congress are certain that Mr. Natwar Singh would be expected to explain himself to the party leadership. Congress president Sonia Gandhi convened a meeting of her senior aides to understand the possible ramifications of the Volcker Report.

The final response will have to await Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's return to capital from Tripura and West Bengal.

Dr. Singh comes back on Sunday evening and only thereafter Ms. Gandhi will have a chance to discuss the matter.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National