09 February 2005	Wednesday	29 Zilhaj 1425

DHAKA, Feb 8: Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has assured a US team of "full support" in its investigation into the Jan 27 grenade attack on an Awami League rally that killed five people, including former finance minister Shah Kibria.

Begum Khaleda's assurance came when the US ambassador to Dhaka, Harry Thomas, called on her on Monday afternoon.

Notably, a request of Khaleda's government for assistance from the US intelligence in unearthing the Habiganj incident is under review in Washington and a team is expected to arrive in Dhaka soon.

Thomas and Khaleda reviewed possible terms of reference for assistance from the US and agreed that this matter should be pursued with appropriate officials at the ministry of home affairs, a special release of the US embassy said.

"The request for US law-enforcement assistance remains under review in Washington," quoted the release.

The US ambassador urged the Prime Minister "to preserve all evidences" of the incident. In this regard, he told Khaleda Zia that most of the evidences of the investigations into the August 21 grenade attack on the opposition Awami League rally that killed 21 people in Dhaka, were "harmed due to access of all to the site".