March 17, 1997, Seattle Times, Around The World; Guyanese president's widow is appointed prime minister,

March 17, 1997, Seattle Times, Around The World; Guyanese president's widow is appointed prime minister,

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Janet Jagan, widow of former Guyanese President Cheddi Jagan, has been appointed prime minister and will be the first woman to hold the office, government officials said.

The 76-year-old native of Chicago was also expected to lead her late husband's People's Progressive Party in presidential elections later this year, party sources said.

Her appointment came just nine days after Cheddi Jagan died of heart failure in Washington, D.C.