Mercosur News, page 898

Monday, March 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

A step further back

With the start of the Iraq war Latinamerica fell back another step in the priority list of the United States, a tendency that unexpectedly irrupted when the September 11 attacks in spite of the President George Bush administration promise that this would become the “century of the Americas”.

Saturday, March 22nd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Bolivian gov't tries to placate military over port issue

Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada has sent a letter to his military chiefs seeking to placate their reported unhappiness over the possibility that a Chilean port will be used to export the country's natural gas.

Friday, March 21st 2003 - 21:00 UTC

IMF Completes First Review of Transitional Stand-By Arrangement with Argentina.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the first review of Argentina's performance under a seven-month Stand-By Credit Arrangement approved on January 24, 2003.

Friday, March 21st 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Uruguay reaches agreement with IMF

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed this week the second review under the Stand-By Arrangement with Uruguay, approved a one-year extension through end-March 2005, and re-phased projected disbursements over the extension period. Upon completion of the review, a disbursement of SDR 218.5 million (about US$303 million) became immediately available.

Wednesday, March 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Breaking News.

Headlines: Mercosur requests open markets from Europe; Fed keeps rates unchanged.

Wednesday, March 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Latinamerica condemns war and demands disarmament

All Mercosur members and most of Latinamerican countries are against military action in action and in spite of US President George Bush 48 hours ultimatum to Iraq, the region still expects a diplomatic solution to the confrontation including the full disarmament of the Baghdad regime.

Tuesday, March 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Hot News

Headlines: Argentina says “No” to the British; Chile: Trade and Iraq, “completely independent”; Praise from KÃÃ‚Â¶hler

Tuesday, March 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

IMF after tax and pension reforms

The IMF had encouraging words for the current stringent budgetary policy of Brazil, but also warned that the maintenance of the needed surpluses would be facilitated by early action on proposed tax and pension reform. The remark was included in an official IMF release following the completion by the Executive Board of the second review of Brazil's performance under the US$31.4 billion Stand-By Arrangement approved last September 6, 2002. Completion of the review allows Brazil to draw up to US$4.1 billion, half of which is under the Supplemental Reserve Facility (SRF).

Monday, March 17th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

Breaking News

Headlines: Mercosur rice farmers demand fair markets; World's leading soybean producer; Nuclear surveillance station in Punta Arenas; Lan Chile hikes air fares; Chilean depositors nervous; Inflation drops in Brazil; Lula tightens control on his party; The elusive ”Kraken project;