Guatemala plans amnesty, more freedoms, elections

Guatemala President Efrain Rios Montt announced the country would offer an amnesty for leftist guerrillas and ease the present state of siege. A less restrictive ''State of Alert-A'' will come into effect on March 23, the anniversary of the coup that brought him to power, Mr. Rios Montt said in a television broadcast.

The President also pledged to announce new election laws on March 23. Under the state of siege imposed July 1, the government was given broad powers to fight leftist rebels, including secret military tribunals and a ban on reporting any news about guerrilla activities other than official government information.