MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Full support for President Duhalde.

Mercosur and associate members presidents will be holding an out of agenda summit next February 18th. in Buenos Aires to express full support to the Argentine president Duhalde administration.

All presidents have confirmed their participation, but Mr. Fernando Cardoso from Brazil will be arriving a day before becoming the first foreign visitor of the current Argentine government. "Cardoso will offer technical advisors and assistance to help Argentina restructure its financial system", anticipated Brazilian diplomatic sources. Since Brazil devalued in January '99 and opted for a floating exchange rate, President Cardoso had been prodding Argentina to follow the same track in an effort to harmonise Mercosur macroeconomic policies. During the Mercosur summit, a "social clause" will be added to the block's Treaty contemplating a formal "continental social solidarity" for when country members experience extreme circumstances such as those undergoing by Argentina currently. Country members are also expected to praise the Duhalde administration for having convened a "dialogue process" with all sectors of Argentine society in spite of having an ample Congressional support.

Europe lifts ban on Argentine beef

As of February 1st. Argentina can resume beef exports to the European Union, after almost a year's ban following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, FAM. "This is the best news we've received in a terrible year, and its positive effects are already noticeable in the local cattle market", indicated Mr. Luciano Miguens vice-president of the powerful Argentina Rural Association. The decision was officially communicated to Argentina by Brussels last week and a similar announcement regarding mutton and lamb can be expected during February following the Paris based Organization International de Epizooties, OIE, statement that Patagonia is free of FAM. "Although OIE is autonomous, its decisions have great influence and we can expect a lifting on the ban for Patagonian lamb and mutton, by Europe, sometime in the coming weeks", said Mr. Miguel Angel Paulón, Argentina's Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Secretary. All efforts are now concentrated in completing the Hilton special cuts quota of 28,000 tons which must be shipped by next June. However Argentine officials are concerned that not enough farmers have registered for the sale so far, --(1,800 but 8,000