"We can understand where their roots lie. Whatever clothing they may wear, it is not difficult for Bangladeshi people to comprehend their motives and the instigators behind them," she said on the eve of stepping into the fifth and final year in office to lead her coalition government.

Delivering a 35-minute speech before the nation over electronic media in the evening, the prime minister devoted most of her time to the recent serial bombings and terrorism as well as her government action to deal with the threatening menace.

Khaleda, at the same time, held out an olive branch for the truant mainstream opposition as she urged them to return to parliament with assurances that their well-thought-out proposals on general elections would be taken into consideration.

Admitting with regret the failure of the administration and intelligence agencies in detecting bombers in advance, the prime minister said these bombings tarnished the nation's image, struck at peace and security in public life, especially the reputation of Islam as a religion of peace.

"With unqualified support of the countrymen we have faced and foiled the conspiracy for overthrowing the government and upheld the hard-earned democracy," she apprised the nation.

"But we could not foresee the coalescing of bombers simultaneously (with the hatching of conspiracy). I regret this administrative and intelligence failure," said the prime minister as she took a fresh pledge to steer the country through a clear course ahead.

The prime minister didn't specifically blame the quarters sponsoring the bombings, but said these desperate acts were aimed at giving credence to the recent anti-Bangladesh campaign.

She said, "Islam has been tainted by the bombers. This is because the bombers wanted to hide their real intent and identity behind the masks of a sacred religion."

About their designs, Khaleda said their aim is clearly to tarnish the reputation of Bangladesh, scare the people, disrupt peace and social stability and thwart the progress, social and infrastructure development and investments.

In an oblique reference to the baseless campaign against the country, the prime minister said these bombers made an evil attempt to prove true the propaganda of those who have waged a campaign against Bangladesh during the past few years.

Assuring the nation of her government actions, she said the government has now come to know the identity of bombers and many have already been arrested. "It has also been possible to identify the main schemers. I can tell you, we shall be able to eliminate this bomb-terrorism from the country by the grace of Allah."

The prime minister expressed her deep sympathy and condolences for those who were killed or injured in bomb explosions. She also referred to the bomb attack on British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury in Sylhet, saying that the people of the country were deeply embarrassed by such outrageous act.

Khaleda said her government has taken the initiative to deal with the bombers with a firm hand for the sake of the country and Islam, for people who uphold religious values irrespective of creed, for safeguarding development, democracy and peace.

Terming terrorism as a potential international problem, she observed that although the area of Bangladesh is small, the country's maritime and land boundary is quite large. Bangladesh does not have the capacity to guard this extensive border constantly, and, as a result, the movement of criminals and trafficking of explosives and other harmful substances through the border is quite possible.

Calling for reinforcing mutual understanding and cooperation among the countries of the region to stop this, the prime minister said Bangladesh will try to draw attention of the South Asian nations to this subject during the forthcoming Saarc Summit in Dhaka.

Khaleda assured the international community that Bangladesh is on the side of peace as there is no room for religious or any other brand of extremism in this country.

The prime minister said she has proposed the framing and application of strict laws for curbing bombings and terrorism. The government is moving ahead on this issue. She sought all-out cooperation of people, especially of political parties, in the latest move.

She said sincere cooperation of all and some more time are needed for qualitative improvements in the situation. "Today, I seek that cooperation and time from you all."

Calling for public awareness against terrorism, she noted that there is no inaccessible terrain in Bangladesh where the terrorists can hide. Here, the criminals tend to hide in the crowd. Catching them becomes quite easy if the people remain awake and alert.

"I, therefore, said we do not have the capacity to put close-circuit camera or CCTV at all places for identifying the terrorists. So, let the vigilant eyes of 14 crore people become our CCTV. "

Khaleda, who assumed power with a twin-objective to fight terrorism and corruption, said corruption in Bangladesh became a topic of discussion in the international arena before she assumed office in 1991 and 2001.

However, she admitted, "We have not been so successful during the past four years compared to the successes achieved in curbing corruption during our tenure of 1991-96. The reason is, corruption proliferated at all levels."

For freeing society from this infectious disease, Khaleda said the government took the initiative to bring transparency and accountability in government transactions, trade and commerce.