Emerging from a meeting with Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina at her Dhanmondi home, Patterson told journalists: "Both of us agreed that Bangladesh has a bright and good future " which depends on political stability and democracy."

Patterson ducked a further question on political instability but said, "There is concern in the international community about the current political situation in Bangladesh."

"The key to prosperity is transparency and creation of an environment where economic developments can take place. All should work together," said Patterson, who looks after the Bureau of South Asia Affairs in the US State Department and came to Dhaka on a familiarisation trip.

On repeated hartal calls here, he said: "We don't support hartal." Harry K Thomas, US ambassador in Bangladesh, accompanied Patterson to the talks with Hasina, where Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil, presidium member Kazi Jafrullah, Hasina's political secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury, AL International Affairs Secretary Syed Abul Hossain and former diplomat Mahmood Ali were also present.

Briefing the journalists, Hasina's Press Advisor Jawadul Karim said Patterson underscored that all parties should work together for prosperity.

On AL's boycott of the Jatiya Sangsad, Karim said Hasina briefed the US official on the government's indifference to AL's three-point demand the main opposition party put forward long ago as a precondition for its return to parliament.

Karim quoted Hasina as telling Patterson a minister withdrew his comments on former president HM Ershad, which incensed the Jatiya Party, but a junior minister did not say sorry to the leader of the opposition for derogatory words against her in a sign of what the advisor called the government's insincerity.

"She (Hasina) also informed Mr Torkel that 13,000 Awami League leaders and workers have been killed since the BNP-led alliance was voted into office in 2001," Karim said.