Mercosur

• Monday, June 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Top popularity marks for Mr. “K”.

  An overwhelming majority of Argentines have a positive image of President Nestor Kirchner's administration first month in office, and similarly 82% are optimistic about the future of the country according to an opinion poll published this Sunday in the Buenos Aires press.

• Monday, June 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Rioting against Chile-South Korea free trade.
  Record crops in Argentina.

  In spite of massive violent protests by farmers in downtown Seoul, the Chilean government is confident that the free trade agreement between South Korea and Chile will be finally approved by the Southeast Asian country Congress.

• Sunday, June 22nd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Koehler arrives
  in Argentina

  International Monetary Fund Managing Director Horst Koehler will be arriving in Buenos Aires next Monday morning, where a long agenda of interviews and contacts awaits him plus a lot of convincing.

• Sunday, June 22nd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Another Fed interest rate cut?

  The United Stated Federal Reserve concerned with the slow growth rate of the US economy could reduce interest rates further this coming week when the Open Monetary Committee meets again, reports The Washington Post.

• Saturday, June 21st 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Third meeting between Presidents Lula & Bush.

  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on Friday became the first head of state who opposed the US-led war in Iraq to be received by US President George W. Bush in Washington.

• Friday, June 20th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Decree limits Argentine president's power to shape high court

  Argentine President Nestor Kirchner signed a decree Thursday placing limits on his power - and that of future heads of state - to fill Supreme Court vacancies.

• Friday, June 20th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong Earthquake Rocks Chile

  A strong earthquake rocked north central Chile Friday, damaging houses but causing no injuries, authorities said.

• Thursday, June 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil reduces basic interest rate.

  After two days of deliberations Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee, COPOM, reduced the Selic basic interest rate half a point to 26%. The much expected announcement was interpreted as a clear signal that after almost a year of persistent steady prices, inflation had reached its inflexion point and has began a moderate slide.

• Thursday, June 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur target: single market by 2006.

  Under the undisputed leadership of Brazil and Argentina, Mercosur members, associate members Chile and Bolivia, and as special guest Venezuela, the South American trade block celebrated the XXIVth presidential summit in Asunción, Paraguay with the commitment to strengthen the political agenda and expand regional integration creating a genuine single market by 2006.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur takes a step towards free trade pact talks with India.

  Mercosur foreign ministers have signed the draft of a negotiating protocol they hope will eventually lead to a mutually beneficial free-trade pact between the South American trade bloc and India.