The conflict in Nepal is inexplicably neglected by the international media but two weeks ago, UK telelvision viewers had for the first time full exposure to it. Potential tourists might not have been encouraged. The impact of the Maoists on life in rural Nepal was a major theme in an episode of Michael Palin's immensely popular and much acclaimed series Himalaya. This showed Maoists forcing the abandonment of the initial recruitment of Gurkhas because of the alleged 'abduction' of the British officer in-charge and an interview with trekkers who showed a receipt issued by the Maoists for contributions 'asked'. A clear impression was given that the countryside was effectively under the control of the Maoists.

This message was strongly reinforced by an extended report on 'Newsnight', the BBC's flagship daily current affairs program. This featured film of Maoists doing military training, interviews with the victims of Maoists' intimidation and violence, and allegations of serious human rights abuses by the security forces. There was an interview with Sher Bahadur Deuba in which he was dismissive of the Maoists: "They're not that big a threat. They can create problems. They are quite capable of terrorising. That's one of the reasons that sometimes they create problems, otherwise they are on the run."

Asked about the fate of the disappeared, he replied: "We are going to announce the whereabouts of the people who have disappeared like Guantanamo Bay in Nepal. And we will take action against anybody, any officer who deliberately abuses human rights."

Asked specifically if "the families of the 662 who have disappeared between 2000 and 2003 will all be told where those people have gone, he replied: "They will definitely be told very soon. They will all be told very soon. They will be made public, yes." Asked if he can guarantee that, the reply was an emphatic: "Yes, Yes." Those familiar with the fate of such assurances in the past will not be holding their breath.

Name withheld,
London