The World - News from June 12, 1989

President-elect Carlos Menem will assume power several months ahead of schedule in an agreement being worked out with Argentina’s lame-duck leader, Raul Alfonsin, officials said. The arrangement will allow Menem to begin tackling the nation’s crippling economic problems sometime this summer, rather than wait until December, when he is scheduled to take over from Alfonsin. With the economy in chaos and in the wake of food riots that have left 14 dead, Alfonsin has been under pressure to step aside before his term ends. After the election, Alfonsin had offered to quit early but could not agree with Menem on terms.