There were reports in the Norwegian press in August 2003 that the Statt Oil officials have paid bribes to the Iranian oil industry officials.

The informed source who spoke to IRNA on condition of anonymity added, "Being clear of the Iranian sides in that file was certified following dozens of hearing sessions in which dozens of informed people of the issue were interrogated and hundreds of pages of financial documents on the matter were studied by Norwegian Judiciary.

He added, "The Iranian officials surveying the matter contacted the Norwegian judge in charge of the file, as well as the high ranking Statt Oil managers to get a clear picture of the case.

The source added, "According to the documents and evidence we came up with the conclusIon that the contract and taking stands on the case were all made following the revelation of the news on bribery scandal, and the whole case had been in fact a cover up for an internal corruption inside the Norwegian Statt Oil Co.

He said, "It seems like political moves against Iran, particular moves aimed at ruining personalities active at Iran's political scene, as well as the competitions between oil companies and the countries that have interests in them have been the involved factors in this file.

The Managing Director of Iran's Fuel Consumption Improvement Company Mehdi Hashemi, too, told IRNA on Wednesday, "I reserve the right to sue the Norwegian Statt Oil Company, as well as the Norwegian press that carried out the bribery reports against me."

He added, "I will file my complaints at Iranian judiciary courts, as well as the International Court of Justice within the next 30 days."

The Iranian Parliament, Majlis, too, ran a survey and research project on the matter, in result of which it is said, "The team working on this file has by the time this report is being published found no evidence regarding a deal between Mehdi Hashemi and Horton Company."

According to that report, read out on Wednesday at the parliament, "There has been no proof for paying any amount to Mr. Hashemi up to now as the accusations against him had noted."

The Norwegian press at the time had published reports on existence of scandalous relations between certain Iranian oil industry officials and Horton Company, whose Managing Director was Abbass Yazdanpanah.

The Iranian parliament approved the request for a survey and research project over the bribery accusation against Iranian officials from Norway's Statt Oil Co on April 4, 2004.