Stories for December 19th 2003

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Handing over command; Director looks forward to New Year change; Visiting officials' passports must be stamped; Forbes v FIG; Ships cruising in.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Lula defies economic critics with policy defence.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a resounding defence on Thursday of orthodox economic policies during his first year as Brazil's president, in spite of the worst performance of the economy in at least five years.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Argentina attacks IMF loan delay

Néstor Kirchner, Argentina's president, yesterday attacked the International Monetary Fund for the second time in a week after the IMF suggested it would postpone a $330m (?268m, £188m) disbursement that had been expected before Christmas.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Patagonian toothfish fishery suspended

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Undersecretary has suspended the fishery of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) as a target species in national waters, after this year's 4,800 tonne TAC was fulfilled.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

News from Chile.

Headlines:
Chilean tourism turnover reaches a billion US dollars; Local company acquires Magallanes abattoir; Farewell to Punta Arenas air pioneer.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

With no WTO agreement, FTAA is limited

Without advances in multilateral negotiations, the Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, will not progress forecasted the president of the World Trade Organization General Council Ambassador Carlos Pérez del Castillo.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Diplomatic rift between Argentina and Uruguay

Argentine officials complained bitterly to Uruguay over the posting in Argentina of a military attaché who is accused of human rights abuses during the country's eleven years military dictatorship.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Armed Australian patrolling in Southern Ocean

Australia will boost the protection of its sovereign interests with full-time armed patrols of the remote and ecologically sensitive Southern Ocean, the Australian Government announced this week.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Viarsa trial postponed.

The crew of the Uruguayan flagged longliner “Viarsa 1”, currently retained in Fremantle will be informed next February 5 of the date of their trial for allegedly illegally fishing in Australian waters.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

HMS Sheffield under new masters.

The former Type 22 batch 2 frigate HMS Sheffield, now the Chilean FFG Almirante Williams, welcomed on board her new masters as part of a visit to Devonport Naval Base. Chilean officials anticipated they hoped to purchase two more former Royal Navy units.