Rumsfeld told reporters travelling with him that Bangladesh would take a decision (about sending troops) on its own.

"I think it's up to each country to decide what it is they'd like to do, I'm sure each country is perfectly capable of making those decisions," he said. Asked if he wanted Bangladesh's contribution of troops to Iraq, Rumsfeld said, "If I answered that question and say yes, obviously it would suggest I have asked them, which I haven't. And if I say no, it would be implied we didn't want them. In either case, it would be unfortunate."

During discussions in Dhaka yesterday, Morshed reiterated Bangladesh's decision to send troops if asked by the country in need and under UN auspices during the first ever Dhaka tour by a US defence secretary for talks on crucial international issues.

Rumsfeld held official talks with Morshed and called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to apprise her of the talks with the minister.

Earlier, a US defence official told reporters travelling with Rumsfeld on condition of anonymity, "We hope they will contribute troops to Iraq at some point…We think there is room for discussion."

Morshed told reporters that he "spoke casually" on the issue of Iraq with the defence secretary, but US Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K Thomas contradicted the comment. Asked whether Rumsfeld made attempts to persuade the Bangladesh leaders to commit peacekeepers to Iraq, he said: "No, the matter has not been discussed."

Both Morshed and Thomas, who appeared for the defence secretary, were speaking at an official joint press conference at Hotel Sonargaon yesterday evening that Rumsfeld was scheduled to attend, but cancelled hours before the event without assigning any reason.

Earlier, Morshed received the US secretary on the tarmac of the VVIP terminal of Zia International Airport at 5:00pm.

Morshed told reporters after the press briefing that he told Rumsfeld that Dhaka was closely watching the outcome of the draft resolution presented by the US and Britain to the UN Security Council on Iraq, and hoped for a quick disposal of the issue.

At the official press conference, Morshed said Bangladesh favoured full sovereignty of the interim government in Iraq and felt any economic, political or military decision on the southwest Asian country must be fully accepted by its people.

Morshed said Rumsfeld already knew Bangladesh's position, adding, "We have always said that we will go to any country at the call of that country and when we know we are welcome to aid the suffering of the people of the country where we go."

He said the United Nation's role was critical to ensure peace and stability in Iraq, adding: "Our position has never changed. Bangladesh is the largest peacekeeper in the world and we always have worked under the Blue Helmet."

On US Bangladesh relations, Morshed said, "Our relations are time-tested and not contingent on views on a single issue or a particular development."

Morshed said he highlighted the early resolution of the Palestine-Israel hostilities with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He said he condemned the incidents of prisoner abuse by US troops in Abu Ghraib prison.

Most local reporters were not allowed to cover Rumsfeld's meetings with Khaleda and Morshed.

Official BSS news agency reports Rumsfeld and Khaleda discusses issues of poverty alleviation and Bangladesh's image as a peace-loving nation.

Tight security blanketed Sonargaon Hotel where Rumsfeld is staying overnight amid an unrelated hartal called by main opposition Awami League.

Rumsfeld is likely to leave at 5:20am today.