"I did not say the government has to finish its term... Any action against the government must be done according to the constitution," Patterson said refuting some press reports.

He also admitted that one of the important things the US could do for Bangladesh was to allow greater market access to its exports, but no specific mechanism or terms and conditions for that have been looked into yet.

He said the purpose of his second visit in a six-week span of time was threefold: to re-evaluate US-Bangladesh relationship after the Bush re-election, visiting Chittagong and, "We remain concerned about the direction of this country. I think overall the country is doing the right thing, but it must make progress in peace, stability, and law and order and against corruption."

The US State Department functionary was speaking at a press briefing at the American Center before his departure for Washington at the end of the five-day trip.

POLITICAL CONCERNS
Asked about his comments about a mid-term election, Patterson said, "The constitution allows a change of government in the middle of its term, through such things as vote of no confidence."

Expressing his concern about the recent attacks on political programmes of Jatiyo Oikya Mancha attended by its leaders former President Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain he said all political parties should be allowed to express their views.

Patterson also reiterated his concern over investigations into the August 21 grenade attacks on an Awami League rally in Dhaka, May 21 grenade attacks on the British high commissioner in Sylhet and the large arms hauls in the country, particularly the April 2 arms haul in Chittagong.

He said the US offers to help in the investigations were still on the table and Dhaka had sought assistance on a small scale only, when they asked for the help of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to probe the August 21 grenade attacks.

"Easy answers to the problem are not enough, the answers to all the questions in the investigations must be found in their fullest extent," he asserted, adding the issues had to be investigated by the fullest capability of the country.

"We will not be satisfied until the real perpetrators are brought to justice," he said.

On corruption, he said if leaders at the top, especially in the government, do not do anything to curb corruption in the country, "then people get the message." But, he said, the government's promise to form an anti-corruption bureau remains crucial and he is looking forward to it.

Patterson said not only military and economic assistance but the new Bush regime would also like to see how US 'brains' could contribute to any country in the world, adding, besides Iraq and Afghanistan, Bangladesh is one country that would attract keen US interest.

ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION
On providing greater US market access to Bangladeshi goods, Patterson said, "I do believe the most important thing we could do for Bangladesh would be to allow greater market access....... We should try to do that. But I don't know the specifics of how to do that or what's the proper mechanism. I think it's something we can study more."

He also insisted that the US government has not been pushing specifically for a US company to develop a private port in Chittagong. It rather considers privatisation of Chittagong Port as crucial for Bangladesh's economy, he explained.

Underscoring the potentials of the port's regional location, Patterson said the impact of a modern and efficient port would be significant for the country's economy and any efforts for privatisation could be assisted by Asian, American or transnational financial institutions.

He was also of the opinion that any plan for a future deepsea port in Chittagong would be an excellent one and US assistance for that might come after careful consideration.

The US high official expressed disappointment at the lack of economic activities at a larger scale saying that not many major highways, bridges or other large infrastructure projects were undertaken here to facilitate a vibrant growth of small and medium industries.

He however said he was impressed with Bangladesh's moves against human trafficking and satisfied with what he had seen at a rehabilitation centre for rescued victims of women and children trafficking.

Stressing shared ideals between Bangladesh and the US, he said both the countries have vibrant press, religious tolerance and numerous political parties.

Patterson informed the reporters that the number of student visas issued to Bangladeshis has gone up by 50 percent over the last two years, issuance of non-immigrant visas has also gone up and Bangladeshis account for the largest number of winners of the US Diversity Visa (DV) for 2005.

He said, since the birth of Bangladesh, the US has given it $4.5 billion in aid and assistance, has been the largest partner in bilateral trade and the biggest source of foreign private investment.