The data collected at centre-of-mass energies of 188.6 GeV by ALEPH at LEP,
corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 176.2 pb(-1), are analysed in
a search for pair-produced charged Hi,ags bosons H +/-. Three analyses are
employed to select the tau(+)7 nu(tau)tau(-)<(nu)over bar>tau, c (s) over
bar tau(-)<(nu)over bar>(tau) and c (s) over bar s (c) over bar final state
s. No evidence for a signal is found. Upper limits are set on the productio
n cross section as a function of the branching fraction B(H+--> tau(+)nu(ta
u)) and of the mass m(H+/-), assuming that the sum of the branching ratios
is equal to one. In the framework of a two-Higgs-doublet model, charged Hig
gs bosons with masses below 65.4 GeV/c(2) are excluded at 95% confidence le
vel independently of the decay mode. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science
B.V.