Mercosur

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  President Bush rewards allies.

  An optimistic United States Ambassador in Chile said that the Bush administration was waiting for the most appropriate political moment to send to Congress the US-Chile free trade agreement.

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “We can't be seen as second rate republics”

  Argentine presidential candidate Nestor Kirchner who today will be visiting Brazil said that if elected he will work for a greater integration with Brazil and Chile and a strong Latinamerican “space”.

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine Leader Tries to Revive Campaign

  Former President Carlos Menem struggled Wednesday to reinvigorate his campaign for a third term, and a new poll showed him lagging far behind his rival in Argentina's May 18 presidential runoff.

• Wednesday, May 7th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News.

  Headlines:
  Ms.Krueger gladly surprised with Argentina; Uruguay to extradite accused terrorist to Egypt; Fed warns about US economy weakness; S unemployment grows for the third month.

• Tuesday, May 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine-Brazilian joint currency?

  Argentina and Brazil are considering the creation of Monetary Coordination Institute with the purpose of having a common currency, Argentine Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr. Martín Redrado made the announcement this Monday in Brasilia after holding talks with president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

• Tuesday, May 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner to visit Lula and Lagos.

  Argentine presidential candidate Nestor Kirchner this week will be visiting Brazil and Chile to hold private meetings with the presidents of both countries. The trip is seen as an exercise of international relations for Mr. Kirchner, an area in which he is considered inexperienced compared to his rival and former president Carlos Menem.

• Tuesday, May 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  US trade agreement with Chile conditioned.

  A strong appeal to ratify the United States free trade agreement with Chile was made by US Representative Judy Biggert. The Republican Congresswoman who is the main lobbyist for the US-Chile agreement said that politics and trade should not be mixed, and asked her colleagues that when voting “keep in mind the benefits this will represent for both countries”.

• Monday, May 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Menem from favorite to underdog.

  Former Argentine president Carlos Menem this Sunday admitted for the first time that he could be defeated in the run off for the presidential election of next May 18. So far Mr. Menem had never admitted loosing an election and had anticipated that in the first round of April 27 he would win by an ample margin of at least ten points.

• Monday, May 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “Virtuous circle” forecasted for Brazil.

  The Brazilian Central Bank expects a rebound of expectations in the coming months that will help the country keep inflation below the 5,5% target agreed for next year and a significant drop in interest rates that now stand at a basic record of 26,5%.

• Monday, May 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Reshuffle in Uruguayan cabinet.

  A reshuffle in the Uruguayan cabinet in the international relations area is expected in the coming weeks according ours sources in Montevideo.