RIOS MONTT CAMPAIGN SUFFERS THIRD LEGAL DEFEAT

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001561 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM PREL GT SUBJECT: RIOS MONTT CAMPAIGN SUFFERS THIRD LEGAL DEFEAT REF: A. GUATEMALA 1530 ¶B. GUATEMALA 1479 On June 16, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) denied Rios Montt's appeal for a review of the TSE's June 12 split decision against the legality of his Presidential candidacy. TSE President Bolanos told reporters that the widely expected SIPDIS decision was based on Article 186 of the constitution. The FRG announced that it will file an appeal with the Supreme Court. Any decision by the Supreme Court, either for or against, is expected to ultimately be appealed to the Constitutional Court for final resolution. Parties have until September 9 to register their candidates, giving the FRG sufficient time for the appeal process to run its course. HAMILTON