The World - News from April 25, 1988

Salvadoran troops occupied seven small towns in rebel-held territory so that delayed mayoral elections could take place, military spokesmen said. There were no reports of clashes as voting began. Rebels of the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front earlier had warned that any candidate elected should resign as soon as possible. Last week, a right-wing mayor who had defied a rebel order not to run for office was killed. The seven towns, in remote parts of Morazan, Chalatenango, San Miguel and La Union provinces, are among 18 towns that were unable to take part in national elections on March 20 because they are in zones of heavy conflict.