Stories for January 22nd 2007
Possible mustard gas poisoning of former Chilean president
Former Chilean president Eduardo Frei Montalvo who died in 1982 could have been poisoned with mustard gas, according to a report from the Belgian University of Gant which is currently in the hands of the Chilean judge who has the case.
Argentine farmers protest commodities higher export taxes
Several Argentine farmers associations are planning a full day of protest for next Tuesday in four main cities to express their dissatisfaction and rejection with the current agriculture policy of President Nestor Kirchner's administration.
Taiana meets Ban Ki-Moon to insist on Falklands talks
Argentina's Foreign Affaire minister Jorge Taiana is scheduled to meet Monday with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon when he will reiterate Argentina's “firm interest” in advancing a solution to the Falklands/Malvinas dispute with Great Britain.
Brazil still far from Investment Grade says Fitch
Brazil is still far from the much coveted Investment Grade in spite of financial market speculations according to the risk rating agency Fitch Ratings which estimates that the BBB qualification will have to wait “two to three” years.
Argentina completes four years of growth at “Chinese” rates
Five years ago in the middle of political and economic chaos Argentina defaulted and devalued the currency putting an end to a decade of a fixed exchange rate of one peso equivalent to one US dollar.
Chile opens Tierra del Fuego for oil/gas exploration
Chile will call an international bid for the exploration of hydrocarbons in the extreme south of the country during the first half of this year, announced Karen Poniachik, the country's Minister of Energy and Mines.
Royal member and minister to visit Falklands next June
Britain's Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office confirmed that the Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and a member of the Royal Family will be visiting the Falkland Islands next June as part of the 25th commemoration of the South Atlantic conflict and thus rebutting an article from The Observer.
Ecuador plans to restructure debt with 60% face value cut
Following on Argentina's steps, Ecuador plans to cover fiscal needs with the sale of bonds to Venezuela and will renegotiate part of its sovereign bonds only admitting 40% of face value, announced Ecuadorian Finance minister Ricardo Patiño.
Princess Anne to meet Chilean President Bachelet in Viña
Princess Anne arrived in Punta Arenas, extreme south Chile Monday at 13:30 hours aboard a British Antarctic Survey (BAS) aircraft, the first leg of a three days visit which includes a meeting with President Michelle Bachelet Tuesday evening.
Pulp mills dispute: Uruguay expects favorable ruling
The Uruguayan government is confident of a positive ruling from the International Court of The Hague calling for an end to blockades by Argentine environmentalists protesting against the construction of a pulp mill on the Uruguayan side of a shared river that acts as a natural border between the neighboring countries.
