Bombs damage Corsican banks before Sarkozy visit

AJACCIO, France, Jan 4 (Reuters) Bombs damaged banks and a tax office in and near the Corsican capital early today, a day before Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy visits the French island with a history of separatist violence.

One man died and one was severely injured by the premature explosion of a bomb they were trying to plant in front of a villa on the east coast, police said.

Separatists on the Mediterranean island have carried out regular low-key attacks since the 1970s, mostly at night and most aimed at official buildings and holiday homes owned by French mainlanders.

Corsicans rejected an offer by Paris of limited autonomy in a referendum in July 2003.

Sarkozy, who is a candidate for this year's presidential election, is due to meet elected representatives and business leaders when he visits Corsica tomorrow.

REUTERS DKA BD1543