Following is the text of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's address to the nation over radio and television channels last evening.

Dear countrymen, AssalamuAlaikum,

I have come here to speak before you today in the backdrop of a special event. You know, there are some events that turn the course of history of a country. These can be accidents and good events. Like the destruction of Twin Tower on 9/11 in New York that changed the course of history in the United States of America. The whole of United States became cautious about terrorism and conducted operations to nab the terrorists not only in their own country but also abroad.

You know, the mastermind of bombterrorist in the name of holy Islam in Bangladesh, Shaikh Abdur Rahman, was arrested in Tilagarh in Sylhet today (Thursday).

Before that you came to know from various TV channels that the members of the security forces had encircled the house where Abdur Rahman was hiding. You have watched live on TV how the members of the security forces have tackled Abdur Rahman and his associates. As a sequel to that Abdur Rahman was nabbed.

Dear brothers and sisters, I firmly believe that the arrest ofAbdur Rahman will be identified as revolutionary positive event in the history of Bangladesh. So, I want to speak about the significance of this event.

You have seen in the past few months that all the members of the security forces in the country were engagedin nabbing the terrorists risking their own lives. It is a hard task -- specially when the resources in Bangladesh are limited and modern detection equipment such as CCTV is almost absent. Despite that, you have seen in the last few months the police and Rab were successful in arresting the mid-junior level to mid-level bomb terrorists. Some of them were given punishment.

But, the members of the law enforcing agencies today (Thursday) achieved highest success. I, on behalf of the countrymen, express my gratitude and thanks and congratulations.

What many rich and powerful nations in the world could not achieve, Bangladesh could do that through intelligence, hard work, courage and sincerity. Many militants of these levels abroad are out of reach. But the security forces in Bangladesh have been able to arrest the mastermind of the bomb terrorists.

We hope after today's (Thursday) incident, any kind of religious or other extremism or movement will be further reduced. Terrorism in the name of holy Islam will extinct.

Terrorist movement is not a new event in the international arena. But its highest manifestation was witnessed five years ago on 9/11. This movement became a national issue for some countries and an international problem for the world.

In Bangladesh, this terrorism first raised its head about 10 years ago through bomb attack at the Udichi function. Later, this extremism took a violent character in Bangladesh. Shrines, mosques, churches, public meeting places, cultural functions, religious festivals, offices and courts were not safe.

Last year on August 17, bomb blasts took place in 63 districts. The people of Bangladesh were under constant threat. They made the courts and administrative buildings their

targets.

You may remember, the main pledge of the alliance during the 2001 general election was to curb terrorism. Although the alliance government made significant improvement in the law and order in the past four and a half years, there was apprehension that incident of bomb blasts may take place anywhere at any time.

It became the biggest challenge for the alliance government to protect the countrymen from this kind of suicidal bomb attacks.

So, our government deployed all its strength to arrest the suicidal terrorists and to identify the people who were misguided in the name of religion.

Dear countrymen,

Today Bangladesh has been able to prove in the world that it can successfully tackle terrorism conducted in the name of holy Islam. This country can resist all kinds of terrorism.

After this success, I want to convey thanks to some friendly countries, who had given valuable advice to the members of the security forces and provided training, technical and technological support. I specially thank the Interpol, FBI and Scotland Yard. But in the frontline our heroic people fought and won.

I want to thank the Islamic parties belonging to the alliance. They all held same view and helped in curbing the disgruntled/derailed quarters which sought to whip up terrorism in the name of Islam. I also thank other political parties, the Alemas and social organisations. They stood by the government in the hour of need. But above all, I want to thank my dear countrymen.

With regard to curbing terrorism, I appealed to you that you will be our eyes and ears. I said Bangladesh cannot afford to buy so much CCTV. You will be our CCTV.

The raid in Sylhet has been successful, as you had responded in a massive way to our appeal.

You had responded to that call of mine in various ways. We have received many information from you through telephone, letters and at personal level. You people have become the 14 crore CCTV of the alliance government. I thank you, congratulate you.

Dear countrymen,

After coming to power this time we have taken several specific and effective steps with a view to improving law and order. These steps include operation Clean Heart and subsequent constitution of Rab (Rapid Action Battalion). Efficient and honest members of the Armed Forces and Police are at theleadership of this Rab.

Comprised of police and armed forces, this extremely dependable Rab has been engaged in the task of your security.

But it is a matter of regret that a quarter becomes active in criticism on the question of necessary use of the members of the armed forces in important task in the interest of the country.

But whenever it becomes necessary for the country, the armed forces must be deployed following natural disaster like floods and cyclone and after building collapse or industrial accident. During the election to national parliament, our armed forces performed that task and their just role earned wide appreciation both at home and abroad.

They are deployed in a limited scale and for a specific time to safeguard law and order in the country -like operation Clean Heart and now as partner in Rab.

I know, those who want welfare of the country, right to choose their representatives and want peace and discipline in the country, will welcome this role of the armed forces. What kind of demand is it that the armed forces of the country, which performs most praiseworthy role in the UN Peacekeeping Force to maintain world peace, cannot be allowed to work for maintaining peace and discipline in their own country?

Dear countrymen,

Look at police, Rab as well as the alliance government's cautious move to save the countrymen from dangerous terrorist activities.

When incidents of terrorism took place during the tenure of the previous government, the BNP leaders and workers were harassed and tortured directly. They were made responsible. They were implicated in false cases.

But the alliance government did not follow the wrong path of torturing the opposition. We tried to understand why this kind of terrorism is taking place? Who are doing this? Where is the source of this terrorism? What are the political and religious aim of this terrorism? We have evaluated all these factors patiently and became successful.

We have got the blessings of Rabbul Alamin the merciful and received total support from the countrymen. We sought the cooperation of the opposition in resisting these bomb terrorists. We have requested them and said all the political parties have to work together to save the country from such a great danger. They did not respond to our call. Rather they went on blaming. I call upon them again today to get mentally prepared to work together in the greater interest of the country rising above petty differences.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today I want to tell the countrymen, keep faith on the government. We have already been able to eliminate the social terrorism from the country. Now we have advanced toward curbing terrorism conducted in the name of politics and religion. People of Bangladesh have proved that they are religious but they do not give shelter to those who indulge in killing in the name of religion. They do not support terrorism. People of this country are religious, but they are not afraid of facing terrorism.

We have proved again how to face violence and crisis. I admit unhesitatingly that there are many more problems in the country. You keep faith on us. Insha Allah, we shall be able to resolve all problems one after another.

At the end, I want to recall today those unfortunate victims who died untimely in bomb attacks. I pray for peace and salvation of their souls and speedy recovery of those injured. I pray for happy and peaceful life of you all and unhindered progress of Bangladesh.

Thank you.

Allah Hafez

Bangladesh Zindabad