News In Brief

Right-wing parties to join in Guatemelan elections

Guatemala's most powerful right-wing parties have agreed to join forces in campaigning for constituent assembly elections scheduled for July, right-wing leader Mario Sandoval said Wednesday.

The tactical alliance brings together Mr. Sandoval's National Liberation Movement (MLN) and the Authentic National Center (CAN) of former President Carlos Arana, which share an ideology of fierce anticommunism and unfettered free enterprise.

''We are confident we will win the elections,'' Sandoval said in an interview. He added that the MLN and the CAN hoped to include three more right-wing parties in an electoral front.