Stories for June 2012
Argentina pledges to pay bonds in US dollars and denies ‘pesification’ of contracts
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez pledged Tuesday to make an upcoming 2.2 billion dollars Boden 2012 bond payment in US dollars, rejecting recent speculation that the government would try to pay some or all of its foreign-currency-denominated debt in Argentine pesos.
Falklands’ referendum has “no value” and does not change Argentina’s position
Argentine ruling coalition lawmakers rejected point blank the referendum on the Falkland Islands’ political status announced for 2013 by the Falklands elected government, and claimed it was a media stunt to distract attention from Argentine president Cristina Fernandez presentation before the UN Decolonization committee.
US “remain neutral” in Malvinas dispute, following referendum announcement
The US has stated that it will remain neutral in the Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom, said the spokesperson of the US State Department’s Victoria Nuland after the announcement that the Islanders will hold a referendum in 2013 to decided whether they want to remain British or not.
Brazil says economy should pick up in coming months in spite of world slowdown
Stimulus measures enacted by policymakers in recent months should soon lead to a pickup in growth, breathing some life into Brazil after three straight quarters of stagnation, said central bank president Alexandre Tombini. However he warned about two years of slow global growth and markets volatility.
Unasur new Secretary General promises to work for energy integration and reduce poverty
Venezuela has taken the Unasur secretary general post from Colombia during a ceremony last Monday held in Bogotá with the attendance of Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos and his Paraguayan counterpart Fernando Lugo.
World Health Organization classifies diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans
After a week-long meeting of international experts, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified on Tuesday diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer.
Looking forward and promoting Falklands’ younger generation
As the years pass, Veterans and Islanders alike who were caught up in the Falklands War, are getting older; many, regrettably are no longer with us. Age takes its toll, and sadly a number of potential guests declined due to failing health, reads the message from Lewis Clifton OBE, Chairman of the 2012 Committee.
UK calls on countries that prize democracy and human rights to respect Falklands’ referendum result
Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne pledged UK respect for the results of the Falkland Islands referendum to be held next year, and called on all governments who prize democracy and human rights to do likewise.
Falklands to hold referendum in 2013 “to eliminate any possible doubts about our wishes”
The Falkland Islands Government announced on Tuesday its intention to hold a referendum next year on the political status of the Falklands to clearly express Islanders views and counter Argentina’s misleading rhetoric including that “we are held hostage by the UK military”.
The Pacific Alliance, yet another bloc in Latin America
The newly-formed Pacific Alliance bloc seems more like a political club to counterbalance the Atlantic-facing, Brazil-led Mercosur group. However, the bloc accounts for 30% of India’s trade with Latin America. Can India engage the group so it is not left out from their Asia focus?
