Stories for July 3rd 2012
OAS fact-finding mission presents report to Permanent Council next Monday
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza concluded on Tuesday his fact-finding visit to Paraguay, where he headed a special mission that included OAS Permanent Representatives from Haiti, Canada; United States; Honduras and Mexico.
Argentina extends incorporation deadline for 20 new jiggers to end of August
Argentina’s Federal Fisheries Council, (CFP), has decided to extend the deadline for fishing companies interested in presenting projects for the incorporation of jiggers to the authorised fleet, which currently consists of 85 vessels.
“A coup against Mercosur” claims leading Brazilian newspaper
Brazil’s conservative but influential daily O Estado de Sao Paulo dedicated the main Tuesday editorial to the Mercosur suspension of Paraguay and the entrance of Venezuela arguing that what happened at the group’s summit in Mendoza was “a coup against” the block.
China scraps plan to build 5 billion dollars steel plant in Brazil
A major Chinese steelmaker has scrapped a plan to build a five-billion-dollar factory in Brazil due to high costs and a slump in global prices for the metal, state media said Tuesday.
IMF praises Germany; suggests more stimuli to a tepid performing US economy
An IMF report revealed that the German economy’s performance has been remarkable despite facing considerable headwinds and that the US recovery “remains tepid and subject to elevated downside risks.”
Bank of China expands in Brazil following 30bn dollars swap agreement
Bank of China plans to cash in on the expanding bilateral trade between China and Brazil and the recent currency swap agreement between the two central banks.
Wales Falklands Memorial re-dedicated on the 30th anniversary of the conflict
Wales' Falklands Memorial has been re-dedicated to mark the 30th anniversary of the conflict which saw 32 Welsh Guards among the fallen. The ceremony was part of the Armed Forces Day events in Cardiff and was attended by Falklands’ lawmaker Dick Sawle.
Astori describes Mercosur latest decisions as “aggression and major institutional blows”
“It’s a major institutional blow, maybe the most serious in the 21 years of Mercosur” said Uruguayan Vice president Danilo Astori in direct reference to the group’s decision to incorporate Venezuela with the approval of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and the absence of Paraguay.
Argentina and Brazil deny Uruguay and insist the decision on Venezuela was unanimous
Argentina underlined late Monday that the decision on the incorporation of Venezuela as full member of Mercosur was “unanimously” supported by the presidents from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay during the group’s summit last Friday hosted by President Cristina Fernandez.
Uruguay says it accepted Venezuela in Mercosur as part of a major negotiation
The Uruguayan government said that it accepted the incorporation of Venezuela as full member of Mercosur as part of a “negotiation” in which it demanded no economic sanctions on Paraguay and that is why “the last word has not been said” on the issue.
