"I don't have any recipe for success here. We encourage the government and the opposition to continue to work together to resolve their differences," she said, adding, "We are not promoting any particular reforms, we do not do that."

Addressing her first ever press conference as the US ambassador to Bangladesh at the American Club yesterday, Butenis declined to make any comment on the opposition's proposals for reforms in the caretaker government and electoral systems. She said it should be left to political leadership to resolve the issue through discussion.

She said the United States wants to see that every step is taken to prevent violence and to promote fairness for well-organised and violence-free peaceful elections.

Butenis, however, observed that the caretaker government system seems to have worked well. "I understand it's a unique system, which other countries do not have. There may be some glitches [in the system], but I will leave it to the political leaders to settle it."

She said she predicts the upcoming national election will be the most monitored election in the country's history with thousands of domestic and hundreds of foreign observers. "And people expect the elections will be held within the timeframe and peacefully," she added.

About the US interest in the election, she said, "We are interested not because we support one particular party [we do not], but because [we think] only a free and fair election -- without intimidation or violence or fraud -- can produce a government with the legitimacy and the authority it needs to address issues of concern to the Bangladeshi people and to your international partners."

Asked what kind of government her country wants to come through the next elections in the wake of widespread concern stemming from extremism and corruption, Butenis said "This is not about something we sit here to oppose …it's rather up to the Bangladeshis to decide whether the government will be changed or not. That's your decision to look at all these issues and explore them and make the best decision possible."

On current political violence, the US ambassador said violence does not produce a solution and does not project the true image of Bangladesh, instead they damage the day-to-day fabric of life, stops children from going to schools and people from going about their business.

"United States always encourages to resolve an issue through dialogue within parties and within parliament," she added.

About long- and short-term election observers, Butenis said through NDI and IRI the US will train the election observers and journalists in monitoring the situation in the run-up to the polls as well as voting.

Asked about her priority during her tenure, she said it would be strengthening counter-terrorism and, secondly, seeing the upcoming elections are free and fair.

"What the United States wants for Bangladesh are the same things that most Bangladeshis want: a country free from political and terrorist violence, a strong democracy that resolves disputes through non-violent means, increased prosperity that reaches the poorest citizens, and an end to corruption that robs them of progress in these and all other areas," she said.

When asked if she apprehends the emergence of any third force in case the major parties fail to resolve the disputes over the elections, Ambassador Butenis said any attempt challenging the present democratic process will be "an absolute disaster for Bangladesh, I don't think anybody can foresee that."

On religious extremism, she lauded the government for measures to capture top JMB leaders and recover arms and ammunition.

"We welcome the arrests of senior leaders of the JMB, the recovery of large amounts of arms and bomb-making materials, and we share your relief that there has been no new JMB attack since December.

"These are positive developments and I think everyone would agree that works remain to be done to identify and hold accountable all those persons who supported the JMB and its extremist violence, and I believe that the government is indeed committed following up," she said.

She said the government should also try the supporters of JMB and those who financed the network on specific evidence.

Butenis said the US government is providing special training for Bangladesh law enforcement agencies to enhance their counter-terrorism capability and basic skills in probing the terrorist attacks and tactically analysing the blast incidents. Besides, Bangladesh military officials are being trained in the US.

"We are also providing technical assistance on the drafting of new legislation here on money laundering and terrorist financing," she said, adding that she would work to find new opportunities to expand the US law enforcement assistance programmes in Bangladesh.

Replying to a query, the ambassador, said the FBI has no plans to open office in Bangladesh. "US and Bangladesh have robust relations and cooperation in law enforcing and terrorism issues," she added.

Asked if the US' appreciation in combating terrorism and withdrawal of its peace corps are contradictory, she said the decision was taken in Washington considering the safety of US volunteers since they are to work in villages too. Besides, some newspapers here reported that JMB's next target was the US peace volunteers.

When asked if the US authorities would deport the convicts of the Bangabandhu murder case hiding in America following the deportation of US citizen Ehsanul Sadequee, Ambassador Butenis said she does not know whether the killers are staying in USA.

She also could not say anything about the progress in signing an extradition treaty initiated by previous Awami League government for deporting the killers of Bangabandhu.

The Trade Act bill -- 2005 that seeks duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to American market, is now pending before the US Senate, she said, adding that it would be difficult to give such preferential treatment outside WTO where the matter is being discussed.

The US is already one of Bangladesh's most important trading and investment partners and the number one buyer of Bangladeshi products, Butenis said, adding, "I would like to expand our trading ties even further, and see that American products and services have the chance to compete here on a level playing field."

She said the relationship between the two countries is already strong and getting stronger.

"So this is an exciting and hopeful time for me to be the American ambassador."

On corruption
Ambassador Butenis said Bangladesh must defeat corruption and other obstacles to economic growth while the Bangladeshi people might define their basic needs in many ways -- supply of food, water, power, education and economic opportunity for everybody.

"Meeting many of those needs depends on economic development, defeating corruption and the other obstacles to economic growth," she added.

Butenis said the critical issue of corruption has projected a negative image of Bangladesh to the outside world.

Asked about the possibility of Bangladesh's access to the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to get special funding from the US government, she said the main obstacle to Bangladesh's becoming a member of MCA club is corruption.

She, however, said the US government is working with Bangladesh to combat corruption.

On Bangladesh press
The US Ambassador said in all countries, including her own, journalists are sometimes ctiticised for being the messenger of bad news.

"But we all know that a free and vibrant press is essential for any country, that it shapes the debate on key issues and provides the information citizens need to make important decisions for themselves and their country.

"As I prepared for my assignment to Bangladesh, I was impressed by the variety of the Bangladeshi press. I was also impressed by reporting I saw on such complex and difficult issues as the rise of religious extremism and the campaign of terror waged by Jama'atul Mujahideen.

"I know that some of you have been threatened and attacked because of your work, so I commend you for carrying on, even under very difficult circumstances," she said.