"Of course we are aware of the visa-related issues which affect the students and researchers and we are reviewing the process," Ambassador David A Gross, US Department of State's Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, said while exchanging views with faculty members at Islamic University of Technology (IUT) of IUT campus at Gazipur yesterday.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fazle Ilahi moderated the discussion.

US State Department's Director for International Telecommunications and Information Policy for Asia Andrew G Hyde, Director of the American Centre in Dhaka Jonathan Cebra, Economic Officer of the US mission in Dhaka Ms Barbara S Keary and faculty members of the university were present.

Referring to current US foreign policy doctrine, Ambassador Gross said Dr Condoleeza Rice, the new Secretary of State, has indicated her intention to continue dialogue with the rest of the world. He said the USA should not engage itself in a monologue.

The US envoy said wireless communications and the Internet in Bangladesh have connected isolated villages creating chance to operate on a global scale. He, however, admitted that "it is true that the global information highway can be a path for less desirable things that pose additional challenges to governments and societies."

Talking on democracy, he said Bangladeshis have fought hard and shed blood for the right to vote and to be governed democratically. The ambassador said as a fellow democracy we seek to work with Bangladesh and all nations that value freedom. Quoting US President Bush, he said "division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies".

Gross said disease and poverty have the potential to destabilise nations and regions. He cautioned that 'corruption can sap the foundations of democracy."