"It's outrageous particularly when Bill is coming," Saifur told journalists after a meeting with the new executive committee of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers' and Exporters' Association (BGMEA) yesterday.

"It's unfortunate; it's a frustrating situation," the minister said, replying to a question on the consequences of such attacks on the courts.

William H Gates, also the chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, is expected to come to Dhaka early next month on a short private trip.

Emphasising the need for concerted effort to root out terrorist activities from the country, new BGMEA President Tipu Munshi said the ready made garment industry as well as the whole economy will be affected by such attacks.

"We can use our 20 lakh workers to mobilize public opinion against such heinous acts," said the new leader of the country's biggest export sector.

LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, meantime, refused to admit that the government had failed to stop repeated bomb attacks by Islamist militants and said it is possible for someone to carry out a bomb attack if the person wishes to.

"If one intends to blast a bomb, it is possible for him to do so. You cannot term it a failure of the government," Bhuiyan told reporters after an emergency meeting at the home ministry following yesterday's attacks. "What we will have to see is whether the attackers are being caught or not," he added.

Bhuiyan is now in charge of the home ministry as State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has been in Singapore for treatment since Sunday.

Strongly condemning the bombings, Mannan Bhuiyan said intelligence agencies have intensified their operations and security measures across the country, especially on the court premises, have been heightened.

"Many have already been arrested in connection with the attacks and others will also be caught in three to four months," he said. "We will catch them and mete out exemplary punishment."

Mannan Bhuiyan thanked the Chittagong policemen for their bravery in stopping the suicide bombers at the entrance to the court building and for sacrificing their lives to save others'.