New York: The Indian Government's special envoy, Virendra Dayal, on Thursday said he had been able to obtain all essential documents from the Volcker Committee, which named Union Minister Natwar Singh and the Congress party as beneficiaries of pay-offs in the oil-for-food programme under Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Wrapping up a week-long visit, Mr. Dayal told reporters shortly before returning home that the Committee had handed over all documents which were in its capacity to do so and only after their analysis would a decision be taken as to whether India needs to contact some other countries. These documents would now be examined by experts in New Delhi to see what more was required, he said. If necessary, he might come to New York once more to seek information, Mr. Dayal said. The Committee, he said, was convinced that the documents on which it had based its findings were authentic but all aspects would be examined by the Indian investigators to arrive at their own conclusions.

Mr. Dayal said the Committee was sorting out some other documents, implying that he had sought more information. But he repeatedly asserted that he has been able to get "all essential documents" he had sought.

Mr. Dayal parried a question as to whether he himself was convinced of the authenticity of the documents and repeated that they would be examined by the investigators. Nor would he gave details of the documents he had obtained, saying he would not like to prejudice the investigations. He firmly rejected the suggestion that the association of officials, including from the Enforcement Directorate, would compromise the inquiry, asserting that they were a "dedicated and fine lot" of people and would work with honesty.

Replying to another question, Mr. Dayal said India was not working with any other country against whose officials also allegations were made, adding that New Delhi was capable of holding an independent inquiry of its own. Asked if he would able to finish his inquiry before the year end as the Volcker Committee's term ended then, he said he expected the Committee to be functional till at least the end of March next year.

Mr. Dayal expressed satisfaction over the cooperation extended to him by the Volcker Commitee as also the United Nations. He had met the chairman of the Committee, Paul Volcker, on Thursday and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday. — PTI

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