Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the caretaker government has carried out reforms to create a level playing field and rid the election of the influence of money, muscle and the misuse of power.

He reaffirmed that the government is committed to holding a free, fair, neutral and credible election.

The chief adviser (CA) made the remarks when newly appointed US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty made a courtesy call on him at the CA's office.

The issue of holding dialogue with political parties was also discussed during the meeting. The chief adviser told the US ambassador that a series of meetings had been held between the advisers and different political parties. He got feedback of the talks as the advisers submitted him a report on the outcome of the pre-dialogue talks, he said.

Fakhruddin told the envoy that he would address the nation soon after discussing the report submitted by the advisers.

Moriarty said the US government is fully supportive to the steps taken by the caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC) and also the electoral road map.

“The support will continue," he said, adding that the US is looking forward to a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh.

Fakhruddin said the EC is going ahead with its road map and it held talks with political parties on reforms of electoial rules. It would place recommendations on the electoral rules.

He said the government wants to hold all the future elections, not only the next election, with a high standard.

The CA said preparing voter list involving 80 million voters with photographs in a short time is a gigantic task, which is going to be accomplished successfully.

Terming the reforms done by the caretaker government under Fakhruddin's leadership impressive, the US Ambassador apprised

the chief adviser of additional financial support of $10 million under the food programme for the Sidr-affected people.

Thanking for the US support, the chief adviser said the government would try to utilise it properly.

Referring to US President Bush's global food aid worth $770 million, he hoped that Bangladesh would be considered for the programme.

On food and grains, the CA said despite natural calamities, fanners in the country have been able to secure bumper production of paddy, potato, wheat and maize.

He said the government would build up a higher level of food security to cope with any shortage of food. Procurement of food items and grains will continue to this end.

The US ambassador said food security is essential in the present context of global food situation.

The CA hoped that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States would assume a new dimension during the tenure of the new ambassador.

He said the relations between the two countries are based on a strong foundation. USA Is a big investor in Bangladesh and also a major destination of Bangladesh's exports.

Secretary to the CA's office Kazi Aminul Islam and CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.