MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

The Church to the rescue

In a national address and sitting next to representatives from the Catholic Church and United Nations Development Agency, Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde made a dramatic appeal to all political and social sectors for a minimum consensus to overcome the current unprecedented and extreme crisis.

"A cycle of Argentine illusions has scandalously and dangerously come to an end", said Mr. Duhalde who last January 2nd. became Argentina's fifth president after elected president Fernando De la Rúa resigned in late December following rioting and looting that left over 30 people killed.

"Let us all collaborate, with hope and dedication; Argentina that so much has given us is now calling, is now in need", added president Duhalde, inviting all sectors to begin "the search for stable solutions which the nation and the people are demanding".

Monsignor Estanislao Karlic, president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference read a statement saying that "corruption, dishonesty and covetousness" have plunged Argentina into prostration.

"We're overwhelmed but not in desperation" added Monsignor Karlic, "we must rebuild a fairer and more solidary nation".

Finally United Nations Program for Development representative Spanish born Mr. Carmelo Angulo committed the full support of the organization to President Duhalde appeal, but clearly pointed out that consensus "can only be achieved through peaceful dialogue".

President Duhalde's national address follows extensive coverage in all the Argentine media over the weekend warning that the inherited "bank controls on deposits are a time bomb", which has to be defused but "if it explodes, nobody gets a penny".

The controls imposed in order to prevent a bank run in early December were confirmed following this month's devaluation of the peso which immediately triggered a renewal of the protests and rioting that toppled two governments in three weeks.

Mr. Duhalde's problem, is how to contain and forcibly "distribute" the devastating effects of the devaluation on a dollarised financial system with a devalued political system.

President Duhalde, faced with public opinion mistrust and rejection of politicians, more than appeal to the people, seems to have ensured support from the powerful Argentine Catholic Church, a long time critic of the political system, and the United Nations. Will the blessing be enough? Only time and patience will tell?(hear any pots and pans banging?)