OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Guatemalan President-elect Oscar Berger has invited the indigenous rights activist and Nobel Peace prizewinner Rigoberta Menchú to join his government.

Making the announcement at a press conference, the Conservative businessman also called on the “national unity” of all political forces “to eliminate inequalities and work together for the good of the country.”

During the conference, the new Head of State also said he would present the names of his new cabinet ministers on 7 January, a week before taking office, saying only that the finance portfolio would go to a woman.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Colom, presidential candidate with the coalition UNE (National Union of Hope) in Sunday’s runoff, has acknowledged defeat and rejected Berger’s invitation to participate in his government.

“I extend my thanks for the invitation, but out of respect for the millions of Guatemalans who rejected his project, I am turning it down,” said Colom.

Berger of GANA (Great National Alliance) took 54.13% of the ballot, against Colom’s 45.87%.

“We recognise Berger’s election with an advantage of eight percentage points and extend our compliments to him,” concluded the candidate for UNE.

Berger’s presidential mandate is due to last four years.