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18 August 2004

Nepal Hotel Bombing Draws U.S. Condemnation

State Department calls upon Maoist rebels to abandon violence

The bombing of a luxury hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal has drawn strong condemnation from the U.S. Department of State.

According to news reports, a passing cyclist threw four bombs into the Soaltee Hotel compound August 16. This incident occurred on the eve of a deadline set by Maoist rebels for the hotel to close because of what they consider "unfair labor practices." The hotel was one of several businesses threatened by the rebels.

In an August 18 press statement, State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said the incident is the latest in a series of attacks since the Maoist rebels broke a cease-fire in August 2003.

In the statement, Ereli characterized the bombing, as well as Maoist intimidation efforts against Nepali businesses, as "reprehensible acts" and said they "only undermine Nepal's economic, political, and social development and demonstrate a clear disregard for the well-being of the Nepali people."

The statement called upon all parties to resolve their grievances through peaceful, political means, saying, "The United States firmly rejects the Maoist intimidation, terrorism, and threats of violence against civilians."

Following is the text of the State Department statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 18, 2004

STATEMENT BY ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Maoist Violence and Threats in Nepal

The United States strongly condemns the recent Maoist bombing at the Soaltee Hotel in Kathmandu, and other attempts by the Maoists to intimidate Nepali businesses into closing their operations. These reprehensible acts only harm innocent Nepalis and weaken Nepal's fragile economy.

Since they broke a ceasefire last August, the Maoists have caused severe hardship to the people of Nepal. We have designated the Maoists under Executive Order 13224, blocking any Maoist assets in the United States or held by U.S. persons, wherever located, and barring U.S. persons from most transactions or dealings with the Maoists.

Maoist threats and violence only undermine Nepal's economic, political, and social development and demonstrate a clear disregard for the well-being of the Nepali people. The United States firmly rejects the Maoist intimidation, terrorism, and threats of violence against civilians. Legitimate grievances of Nepalis must be resolved through peaceful, political means.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)