A joint committee to probe into Tuesday s incident at Sonargaon Hotel will be formed soon, according to State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Abdul Mannan

"A two-member team from the Pan Pacific Singapore office will soon arrive in the city to -work with Iwo local members." said the minister yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka held an hour-long meeting with Abdul Mannan yesterday at the latter s office. Foreign Secretary Farooq Sobhan, Managing Director of Hotel Inter national Limited (HID Mosharraf Ullah. and an official from the Home Ministry were present at the meeting.

After the meeting, the Japanese envoy told The Daily Star that the two sides talked about how to resolve the problem amicably. He did not give any details.

Later, the Minister of the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, S Takahashi, when reached over telephone, said. "We deeply regret what had happened at the Sonargaon Ho tel. But that Incident will not affect the long established relationship between the two countries. I do hope this matter will be handled In that direction .’’

Asked If the Incident would have any impact on Japanese investment In the country he said. "I think if anti only If. Pan Pacific Hotel withdrew from the manage ment of the hotel, which Is a very symbolic project be tween the two countries. It might affect In one way or the other the Japanese In vestment or economic cooperation "

Meanwhile, Tejgaon police said the bail petitions of the 28 arrested employees of the hotel were rejected yesterday

Police Is still guarding the hotel