Monday, November 14 2005 16:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Embroiled in a controversy surrounding the Iraqi oil payoffs, India's Ambassador to Croatia Aniel Mathrani today (Nov 14, 2005) vociferously denied allegations of his involvement saying it was an attempt to malign his image as a Congressman and as a diplomat.

"Let me make it crystal clear that my name does not figure anywhere in the Volcker report. It is disgusting to see that despite this basic fact, a campaign of lies, deliberate falsehood, distortion of facts and baseless conjuctures is being orchestrated against me," he said.

Mathrani said he was never part of any of the business activities of former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh's son Jagat, who is under the scanner for his relationship with Andaleeb Sehgal, owner of Hamdaan Exports, which had allegedly paid surcharge into Jordan National Bank for the oil lifted.

"I completely deny having anything to do whatsoever with Natwar Singh's son Jagat Singh, his activities, his business establishment, those of his relatives and friends from Hamdaan exports," he told sources.

Mathrani said the whole episode was "an attempt to malign my image, my services both as a diplomat and as a Congress worker during the last 25 years."

Referring to his visit to Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime, he said "I was part of a Congress party delegation to Iraq in 2001 cleared by the party and representing the party. The delegation comprised Natwar Singh, A R Antulay and Shiv Shankar."

The diplomat said reports that he was an Officer on Special Duty to Natwar Singh before his diplomatic assignment to Zagreb was a 'total lie'. "I was appointed Ambassador to Croatia by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh", he added.

"I am in great pain and anguish to read and watch day after day that my name is being forcefully dragged into them controversy," he added.