New Delhi, November 7
Following up on its earlier announcement, the Congress today sent a “legal” letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan and asked for the documents based on which the Volcker committee report named the Congress as a non-contractual beneficiary of Iraqi oil deals.

The five-page letter, sent through the legal firm Amarchand Mangaldas and signed by its partner Pallavi Shroff, has also sought several clarifications on whether the UN enquiry committee had sent notices to the Congress to seek its views on the findings.

It has also sought a meeting with Mr Anan or his staff to get copies of the records and answers and clarifications.

Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan clarified that although the letter had been sent through a law firm, it could not be construed as a legal notice.

The letter wanted to know whether the Volcker committee or anyone acting on its behalf had invited the Congress to respond and submit any evidence corroborating or refuting the information. It also said it would like a copy of this notice, if such a notice was issued.

“The Congress wishes to unequivocally and categorically state that it had no dealings in respect of any oil-for-food contract or any other oil contract with the government of Iraq or any other agency or any company or any firm or any individual,” the letter said.

The letter also stated that the Congress had not authorised any company or firm or individual to represent or act on its behalf in the oil-for-food contract or any other contract.