Military

DATE=11/09/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NEPAL BOMB - L ONLY

NUMBER=2-320277

BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Bomb injures more than 30 in Nepal's Capital

INTRO: More than 30 people have been injured in a bomb blast in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion has fallen on the country's Maoist rebels. VOA's Patricia Nunan has more from New Delhi.

TEXT: Officials say three men entered a building complex still under construction in Nepal's capital, planting a bomb and then leaving.

Minutes later, the bomb exploded - injuring scores of nearby construction workers and pedestrians.

Officials say they suspect the men are members of Nepal's Maoist insurgency, which has been fighting to overturn the country's monarchy since 1996.

More than 10-thousand people have been killed in the fighting and violence - mostly in the countryside. But in recent months, the Maoists have also threatened the capital, planting small bombs and once blockading it for several days.

Yuvraj Ghimre, editor Nepal's weekly news magazine, Samay, says the Maoists changed tactics to increase fear.

/// GHIMRE ACT 1 ///

"It doesn't prove that their strength has gone up, but it will certainly create a sense of terror among the ordinary people."

/// END ACT ///

Formal peace talk between the government and the Maoists collapsed more than a year ago.

/// OPT /// But the two sides agreed to and honored a 10 day ceasefire in October coinciding with a religious festival, suggesting that they are capable of negotiations. /// END OPT ///

But Mr. Ghimre says, at the moment, neither side seems interested in peace talks.

/// GHIMRE ACT 2 ///

"Both sides are saying that they want a negotiated settlement to the problem. But no side has come forward to substantiate their public plea through action. They haven't come forward for any peace dialogue."

/// END ACT ///

Nepal's situation is complicated by political turmoil in the capital - putting King Gyanendra at odds with numerous opposition parties. The king has pledged to hold parliamentary elections in April next year, but it remains unclear whether he will keep his promise. (signed)

NEB/HK/PN/JJ