Baburam Bhattarai, in a letter addressed "Dear Foreign Tourists" says his Maoist party has nothing against the tourist industry or foreign tourists visiting Nepal. "Foreign tourists are most welcome in the country and will be so in future as well," he writes, and goes on to invite tourists to visit Maoist "base areas". He also bashes globalisation and Nepal's "hereditary autocracy", warning tourists not to patronise airlines and hotels owned by them. Baburam says "honoured guests from neighbouring India" need not be unduly perturbed about visiting.

But western embassies in Kathmandu feel this is the first time the Maoists have made a direct threat against tourists, by telling them to stay away during the five-day bandh next week, and travel advisories are being updated. Baburam ends his letter by saying: "In view of the five-day long Nepal bandh (i.e. general shutdown) from April 2 to April 6, 2002, and the subsequent surcharged atmosphere in the aftermath, the foreign tourists are well advised to skip the tour itinerary, if any, for the said period. We deeply regret the inconveniences likely to cause to you all." If you say so, comrade.