Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today (Oct 5, 2004) said the United States of America had offered FBI help in investigating the recent incidents of bomb blasts in the State and he was in favour of involving them.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati today, Gogoi said that he had received a letter today written by American Ambassador to India David C Mulford offering FBI help for investigating the blasts.

Gogoi said he had no objection if the US investigating agency helps their Indian counterpart in identifying the culprits but made it clear it should not be at the cost of national security.

Mulford's letter said, "should you find it helpful that the FBI should be pleased to provide technical support for investigation. I have also made this offer to Home Minister Shivraj Patil. I hope you will be free to contact me if there is any other way that we can be helpful''.

His letter also pointed out, ''in this context US has considerable expertise in investigative techniques. The people of America join you in hoping that the perpetrators of these crimes will be brought swiftly to justice''.

Gogoi said he would approach the Centre and ''if they don't have any objections it will be helpful to us as bigger forces are determined to disturb the entire North East''.