Stories for December 8th 2005

Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

“Exploratory” peace talks with Colombian insurgency

Havana, Cuba will be the location for a “formal exploratory meeting” between Colombia's second largest Marxist oriented insurgency and representatives of the United States backed government leading to a possible |peace process.

Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Brazilian government confirms slowing down of economy

Brazil's Institute of Applied Economic Research, IEPA, downgraded Wednesday the country's economic growth forecasts both in 2005 and 2006. The quarterly report forecasts Brazil will expand 2,3% instead of 3,5% as previously announced, and 3,4% in 2006, down from 4%.

Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Fears that Chavez might turn Mercosur “highly political”

Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur scheduled for this week's presidential summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, is seen with limited enthusiasm by Brazilian business and experts who feel the customs union might become highly “political”, creating additional difficulties to negotiations with other trade blocks.

Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

“We can't be hostages of a Mercosur full of problems”

Uruguay's trade links can't be limited to a Mercosur “full of problems”, the country must adopt “a more proactive attitude towards other regions in search of trade and investments”, said Uruguayan Economy minister Danilo Astori.