DHAKA, Jan 31: The US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian affairs, Christina Rocca, said on Sunday the US government was considering Bangladesh's request for FBI assistance , adding however that Washington had sought clear terms of reference from Dhaka to ensure full access to all evidence and witnesses by the agency's consultants.

According to a news agency, Christina Rocca called Foreign Minister Morshed Khan over telephone and explained the US governments position regarding Bangladesh's request for FBI assistance.

The agency said Ms Rocca expressed her outrage at the Jan 27 attack on an Awami League rally that led to the death of former finance minister Shah A.M.S. Kibria and others. She asked the Bangladesh government to conduct a thorough investigation in order to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

STRIKE PLAN: The Awami League on Monday called a three-day countrywide strike coinciding with the opening day of the Saarc summit scheduled to begin in Dhaka on Feb 6. According to an AL announcement, a dawn-to-dusk shutdown will begin at 6am on Feb 3, and later a two-day non-stop strike will begin at 6am on Feb 5 and end at 6pm on Feb 6.