President Mohammad Khatami on Saturday echoed the public demand that the US should release Iranian assets it has frozen since 1979 as a gesture of contribution to the quake hit people of Kerman province.

Responding to a question whether it is possible for the government to urge Washington to unfreeze Iranian assets if they want to help Iranians who fell victims to the deadly quake in Zarand, Kerman province, President Khatami said, "I hope the US officials will hear your demand. The government supports the public demand from the United States."

US President George W. Bush extended condolence to Iran on the death of several hundred Iranians in the deadly quake on February 22.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iran in responding to this tragedy, and we will be in contact with the government of Iran to offer concrete help," the White House said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, they do not keep promise. In the current of the Bam quake, many countries promised to extend assistance, but, their actual assistance was far below their promise," President Khatami said.

He said that the government will allocate an extra dlrs 250 million fund to help the people of Gilan province who suffered from heavy snowfall and the people of Zarand to alleviate their sufferings.