Stories for April 2003
Regional News.
Headlines:
Antarctic Institute in Punta Arenas; Illegal drug use down in Chile
Time running out for Darwin Memorial summer construction.
According to Ken McKenzie, Regional Manager of Morrisons (FALKLANDS) Ltd, unless there is a conclusion to a contract by the end of June, then there is little prospect of the proposed Argentine War Memorial being constructed in the Falklands during the austral summer 2003/04.
Top Award for Falklands School Girls' Choir
A 19-strong all-girl school choir from the Falkland Islands called “Vocalise” has beaten off several thousand entrants to win a top prize at the Youth Music Awards, a national competition organised by National Foundation for Youth Music in the United Kingdom.
NGO warns about over-fishing
An Argentine non government organization, NGO, Cedepesca (Centre for the Defence of National Fishing), has publicly warned about the increase of illegal fishing in the South Atlantic, particularly regarding squid.
LA forecast growth slashed.
The United Nations Latinamerican Economic Committee, Cepal, further cut its growth estimate for the region from the 2/2,5% of last November to 1,5/2% because of the international situation created by the Iraq conflict and increasing problems for the Venezuela economy.
Lula's 100 first days
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva whose administration this week reached its first one hundred days said in a national message that his tough policies avoided a “major economic disaster”.
Regional News.
Magallanes Major removed; Joint Chilean-British missile; Buenos Aires received 47 cruise vessels.
Fisheries News.
Headlines: NZ company to catch toothfish in South Georgia; Frozen fish consumption up in Spain; Modernization of canning sector; Seaweed as fish feed protein; UK must act to stop illegal fishing; Encouraging Peruvian fish exports; New rules protect Paraná fisheries
Lula exerts Brazil's leadership.
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is pressing Mercosur partners to “revive the block's spirit” and strengthen “a joint position in international trade negotiations”.
Meat Congress in Punta del Este.
Subsidies and depressed prices.
Two Mercosur delegates exposed the region's potential in meat production and the growing hurdles to international trade in these commodities particularly the European Union and United States.
