The retired general would not name his alleged assailants, but said the attack was the result of personal differences with two army officers. Rios Montt said he would only name the source of his information if the United States gave him permission. Defense Minister Gen. Mario Enriquez denied Rios Montt's charges. Rios Montt's critics say the bombing may have been staged to gain sympathy and press coverage for the general himself. Rios Montt insists he should be allowed to run for president even though, as a former coup leader, the Constitution prohibits his candidacy.
Analysts note that bombings often occur when foreign dignitaries visit.
They say such attacks are likely an attempt by hard-line members of the army or the economic elite to discredit the URNG and derail the peace process. A visit by U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali last April also provoked a bomb attack which killed an economics professor and injured a university student. Mexican President Visits Guatemala Guatemala City, June 10. Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo spent two days in Guatemala this week, in an official visit lauded as a success by the presidents of both countries. The presidents also signed a joint declaration of 38 points, including a recap of those made in the accords.