Mercosur

• Thursday, August 14th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  More than 200 arrested in Chilean general strike.

  The first general strike in Chile since the restoration of democracy was deemed a success Wednesday by labor unions, although the government labeled it a failure.

• Thursday, August 14th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Coalition calls for Uruguay to turn in suspected illegal toothfish boat

  The Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators (COLTO) has asked the Uruguayan Government to assist Australian authorities in apprehending the Viarsa, after the vessel was spotted inside the Australian fishing zone earlier this week, allegedly poaching patagonian toothfish.

• Wednesday, August 13th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine lower house repeals impunity laws

  With marchers demanding justice outside, Argentina's Chamber of Deputies voted late Tuesday night to annul two laws providing immunity from prosecution on atrocities charges for former officials of the 1970s dictatorship.

• Wednesday, August 13th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Federal funds rate unchanged at 1%

  As was anticipated by Wall Street analysts the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 percent.

• Tuesday, August 12th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Labour disruption in Chile

  Chilean Minister of Interior Jose Miguel Insulza warned this Monday that government employees who join this Wednesday's national strike sponsored by the country's Central Union of Workers, CUT, will be sanctioned.

• Tuesday, August 12th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Pinochet's 1988 coup attempt

  Chilean president Ricardo Lagos said this Monday that opposition leaders were well aware that former dictator Generl Augusto Pinochet was determined to ignore the results of the 1988 referendum with a new self imposed coup.

• Tuesday, August 12th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Financial support for trade and integration

  The Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, announced this week the launching of a special financial program that includes loans and technical assistance to help adjust the Latinamerican and Caribbean economies to the challenges of integration and commercial opening.

• Monday, August 11th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Modest 1,5% growth forecasted for Latinamerica

  Latinamerica's economy is expected to experience a modest 1,5% recovery during the current year, after suffering a negative growth of 0,6% in 2002 according to the latest release from the United Nations Economic Committee for Latinamerica, CEPAL.

• Monday, August 11th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Chávez could abandon IMF

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez insinuated that Venezuela could abandon the International Monetary Fund, IMF, if multilateralism “doesn't change” and keeps insisting in the promotion of “neo-liberal” economic policies.

• Monday, August 11th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong primary budget surplus

  The Argentine government consolidated sector is forecasted to finish 2003 with a strong primary budget surplus equivalent to 2,8% of GDP, well above target according to the private risk agency Fundación Capital.