News In Brief

Main opposition group plans to shun Nicaraguan election

The main opposition coalition, the Democratic Coordinate, has decided not to take part in the Nov. 4 presidential election because the leftist Sandinista government refuses to negotiate with anti-Sandinista rebels.

In Panama, meanwhile, leaders of the two largest Nicaraguan rebel groups,the Honduras-based Nicaraguan Democratic Front and the Costa Rica-based Revolutionary Democratic Alliance (ARDE), have signed an agreement pledging to join forces in their guerrilla war against the Sandinistas. Both rebel groups are backed by the United States. Conspicuously absent was the signature of Eden Pastora, a leader of ARDE's forces. He has opposed unification with the Honduras-based group on grounds its military command is dominated by former members of Anastasio Somoza's national guard.