IN HAPPIER TIMES: A file photograph of India's Ambassador to Croatia Aniel Matherani (right) with Natwar Singh. — Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI: The former External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, has described as "totally false and malicious" the allegations levelled by India's Ambassador to Croatia, Aniel Matherani, that he arranged for "oil vouchers" as part of the Iraqi oil-for-food programme.

In a statement here on Friday, Mr. Singh said he had noted the "outrageous allegations" against the Congress and himself. "I shall consult my lawyers for further action."

"The obvious question to ask is why did Mr. Matherani give this interview at this time. If he was so concerned about the matter, why did he not go public earlier? He was in Delhi when the Volcker controversy came up."

Mr. Singh said his conscience was clear. "I am ready to face any inquiry, which is time bound, so that my name is cleared at the earliest. "

In a related development, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said Mr. Matherani had "already been transferred" to India. He said he had no doubt that Mr. Matherani would return to the country very soon.

Senior officials said he had been recalled much before the controversy arose.

Mr. Matherani, who has been associated with the Congress foreign affairs cell, told India Today that the "groundwork" for obtaining the oil vouchers had been done during the visit of a delegation led by Mr. Singh to Iraq in January 2001.

"The Iraqis needed a green signal [for oil allocation] and it was provided by Natwar. He organised the delegation and introduced the ones who would execute whatever was given," the Ambassador alleged.

"When Natwar introduced his son [Jagat Singh] and [Andaleeb] Sehgal to all the Iraqi officials he didn't have to say anything. All that he had to do was to show they were in the delegation, that they were his son and cousin, and, therefore, it was confidential. They could go later and do whatever business they wanted to ... The fact that they were introduced was a clear signal to the Iraqis," Mr. Matherani alleged.

A related write-up in the magazine stressed that "while Matherani's revelations provide vital clues, they do not as yet prove Natwar's or his family's involvement in the deals."

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