A spokesman for the US embassy in Dhaka gave the observations to the news agency in response to queries in the wake of Sunday's terror threat to blow up the US and European missions in Dhaka, which came from a self-proclaimed operative of Al Qaeda's regional wing.

The spokesman said: "As President Bush and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia have both said, the fight against terrorism must be waged at many levels and over a period of years, not months or weeks."

In the experience of the United States and many other countries targeted by terrorists, recognising and acknowledging the true nature of the problem -- who the terrorists are and what they hope to accomplish is "an essential first step to create a durable social and political framework for fighting terrorism".

"There are many causes of terrorism, including ignorance and extremism, and a long-term solution must incorporate strategies, like providing good education to traditionally neglected constituencies, for surmounting them," the spokesman said.

In the short-term, however, "there is no substitute for effective law-enforcement action. In Bangladesh or elsewhere, there is no better antidote to terrorism than brining to justice terrorists and those who sponsor and assist them".

He said because a successful fight against terrorism is fundamentally about "the triumph of freedom, tolerance, and democracy over ignorance, fear, and extremism, it is also important to reaffirm and demonstrate a commitment to those principles that separate you from the purveyors of hate".

The spokesman noted that the US government has a long-term commitment to Bangladesh's social, economic and political development, all of which are vital for creating a strong bulwark against extremism and terrorism.

Ten US government agencies, from USAID to the Peace Corps, are represented in Bangladesh with programmes designed to promote good governance, education, trade, human rights, and international understanding, he said.

"But we also have growing programmes to improve the law-enforcement capabilities, including those specifically geared to counter terrorism, of most Bangladeshi law-enforcement organisations."

The spokesman said: "As the Bangladeshi track record in dealing with counter-terrorism grows, we are interested in considering new proposals for expanding this important area of cooperation."