Bicycle bomber attacks Nepal hotel

[dArKeR]

Kathmandu - A man on a bicycle threw at least four bombs into the compound of a luxury hotel in Nepal's capital on Monday but the blasts caused no casualties, authorities said.

The attack in Kathmandu came on the eve of a deadline by Maoist rebels to shut down 10 firms, including the popular Soaltee Crowne Plaza hotel, accusing them of unfair labour practices in the Himalayan state.

"The explosions took place within a gap of a few minutes," an Interior Ministry official said. "The bombs fell near the empty tennis court at the back of the hotel. So no one was injured."

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1092671821748B251

[dArKeR]

1. Top companies shut down after Nepal bomb attack

Many top companies in Nepal shut down yesterday after Maoist rebels bombed a luxury hotel, raising fears for the health of the Himalayan kingdom's tourism-dependent economy.

No one was injured late on Monday when two suspected guerrillas on a motorcycle threw bombs onto the tennis court of Kathmandu's Soaltee Crowne Plaza, but the hotel said it would shut down after earlier vowing to defy a rebel deadline for 24 top firms to close by yesterday.

"Most businesses have decided to close for the time being in light of the situation," said N.M. Singh, general manager of Bottlers Nepal, which distributes Coca-Cola in the kingdom.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/08/18/2003199165

[paulk]

2. this is the first attack directly on the tourist industry

the Maoists - destroying the country to save it.

How in hell does shutting down the economy help Nepal?

[Nambe]

3. The Maoists are really an interesting study IMO.

They remind me of the black and white movie with the Japanese soldier that doesn't know the war is over, ten years later. Their "fervor" is their motivating force! A quote from Nepal: "The strong Hindu influence in other areas of Nepal acts as an obstacle to the spread of the revolutionary fervor". I have a soft spot for the Japanese soldier and for these guys BUT. These guys, not unlike Mao, get depressed when there isn't a good amount of collateral damage. The bicycle caught my eye in this news release. Mao rode every day when he could. To date, the worlds most efficient way to beam yourself through the atmosphere.

[Isere]

4. Brings back memories...

I stayed there 5 years ago..It was lovely beyond description.

What a shame.

[Nordic]

5. gosh, maybe the US can sell them a missle-defense system

for a few billion dollars to deter threats like these.

Maybe throw in a donkey-cart-defense system as well

[Nambe]

6. No oil discovered there so no free killing machines from us.

Maybe someday we'll want to put a pipeline through the mountain.

[Tight_rope]

7. *ush could never do this...he can't ride a bike.