Stories for September 4th 2012
PM Cameron reshuffles cabinet but keeps unpopular Osborne as Chancellor
British Prime Minister David Cameron reshuffled his ailing coalition government on Tuesday, but kept unpopular finance minister George Osborne and foreign minister William Hague in their jobs.
Russia’s Gazprom ready to help YPF develop gas and non-conventional resources
Argentine nationalized oil company YPF moved forward in the signing of an agreement with Russian state oil company Gazprom to develop conventional and non-conventional gas in Argentina and the eventual supply of liquefied gas.
Santos announces talks to end conflict with FARC begin next month in Oslo
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas to end the long standing conflict would start in Oslo in the first half of October before moving to Havana.
Argentine industry asks for flexible imports but strongly supports government policies
Argentina’s Industrial Union, UIA, called on the government of President Cristina Fernandez to ease the imports of inputs for manufacturing, which is suffering from shortages caused by severe controls, although at the same time was supportive of official policies to boost industry.
Strong Peso and imports’ controls vital for reindustrialization of Argentina
President Cristina Fernández blasted those sectors that demand a cheaper Peso (and stronger US dollar) and defended the exchange rate and imports' controls saying they are “vital” for the industrialization process of Argentina.
Mercosur faces “great problems and internal divisions” making talks with EU “difficult”
French Foreign Trade minister Nicole Bricq said that there are “great problems” in the current negotiations between the EU and Mercosur to reach an association agreement which also includes a free trade chapter.
Hague says Assange rights protected by Sweden, UK, EU and international law
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that any suggestion of a risk of breach for Julian Assange’s human rights on extradition to Sweden is completely unfounded and recalled that international, EU and UK law fully address the concerns raised by Assange and by the Government of Ecuador.
Rousseff comes out in defence of a very much questioned Lula da Silva legacy
Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has come out in defence of her predecessor and political mentor Lula de Silva who was the target of strong criticisms from another former president Fernando Enrique Cardoso.
CeDePesca calls on Argentina to limit hake over-fishing in the South Atlantic
The Argentine non government organization CeDePesca, Development and Sustainable Fisheries Centre have requested Argentine fisheries authorities to take action against the sustained over-fishing experienced by the hake (Merluccius hubbsi) in the South Atlantic.
Colombia’s FARC pledge to join peace talks “without hatred or arrogance”
Colombia's FARC rebel leader said the group would join peace talks with the government “without hatred or arrogance” in its first response to President Juan Manuel Santos' announcement of imminent negotiations.
