Military

DATE=8/21/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NEPAL / REBELS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-318389

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

HEADLINE: More Violence in Nepal on 4th Day of Rebel Blockade of Capital

INTRO: In Nepal, fresh violence has erupted in the capital, Kathmandu, on the fourth day of a blockade imposed by Maoist rebels. As Anjana Pasricha reports, the rebels are not backing down, even though the government has agreed to one of their key demands.

TEXT: Officials in Nepal say two men on a motorcycle shot and killed a police officer on the outskirts of Kathmandu. They are blaming the attack on Maoist rebels. This is the second day that violence has hit the city and the fourth day of a Maoist blockade of the capital.

/// OPT /// The rebels have not erected physical barriers around the city, but have threatened attacks on those trying to enter or leave. /// END OPT ///

The rebels have vowed to keep the city cut-off, until the government releases jailed Maoists and provides information on detained colleagues.

The government did offer on Friday to investigate the fate of rebels Maoists say have gone missing after being detained. That offer came hours after several bombings in Kathmandu.

The besieged city is facing shortages, but experienced some relief after the Maoists did allow a dozen trucks loaded with fresh food to enter Kathmandu. /// OPT /// The city does not have any rail links, and food, fuel and other supplies are trucked in. /// END OPT ///

/// OPT /// Several buses carrying tourists also left the city under armed escort. Hundreds of tourists and travelers have been stranded by the blockade. /// END OPT ///

Rajendra Dahal, editor of the "Himal" news magazine, says the rebels have succeeded in showing their power extends beyond their rural bases.

/// DAHAL ACT ///

"They just wanted to show their presence, to create some type of pressure, some type of terror within Kathmandu valley."

/// END ACT ///

Local reports say the Maoists are threatening to widen the blockade to neighboring districts of Kathmandu that border Tibet.

The government has offered to restart peace talks to end the eight-year insurgency, but the rebels will only do so, if strict preconditions are met.

The Maoists want to turn Nepal into a communist republic. Their campaign has claimed more than nine-thousand lives.

The violence has surged since peace talks broke down last year. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AP/JJ/KL/TW