Stories for October 6th 2003

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Straw guarantees Gibraltar self-determination

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told Gibraltar Leader of the Opposition Joe Bossano that any future discussions with Spain are “ad-referendum” to the people of the Rock. Mr Straw said this in reply to a question from Mr Bossano at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Drought imperils Argentine farming

One of the worst droughts in recent Argentine history has extended to ten of the country's provinces devastating crops and killing thousands of cattle short of water and pastures.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Majority of Argentines optimistic, but?

According to a public opinion poll published over the weekend in the Buenos Aires press a majority of Argentines feel optimistic about the future and believe the country's situation will improve in the near future. Similarly the level of support for President Nestor Kirchner remains particularly high.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Cuba the next objective

President George Bush is committed to the disappearance of the current regime in Cuba and will maintain the economic embargo as a “tool” to ensure this objective.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Divorce in spite of the Catholic Church

Chile, one of the most conservative Latinamerican societies and the only Western country that contemplates no legal marriage dissolution is involved in a fierce dispute over the approval of the first ever divorce law. But supporters of the bill fear that so many amendments have been added that it could make the procedure non effective.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Fisheries News.

Headlines:
Argentine Patagonian toothfish TAC, 4,800 tons; First half imports up 13 per cent; Norway seeks to boost codfish exports; New technique protects squid quality and colour; Mackerel dispute in Chile's EEZ borderline; Pirates threaten Chilean fishermen; more...

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Public Utility rates increases “not imminent”.

Argentina's Congress has handed the government sweeping powers to increase privatised utility companies rates and thereby meeting a central demand of the International Monetary Fund.

Monday, October 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

UNCTAD criticizes free trade policies

Latin American governments should restructure debt burdens and play a more active role in economic development, the UN Conference on Trade and Development has urged. In its latest annual trade and development report, Unctad sharply criticised the market-friendly and trade-oriented policies adopted during the 1990s and said they had contributed to a “premature de-industrialisation” in the region.