MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner names cabinet, Bielsa in Foreign Affairs.

Argentine elected president Nestor Kirchner, 53, announced this Tuesday in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, a cabinet of moderates that includes trusted political friends from Patagonia, his sister, independent political allies and a few men loyal to outgoing caretaker president Eduardo Duhalde.

As promised Mr. Roberto Lavagna was confirmed in the crucial post of Economy and Production Secretary; Ms. Alicia Kirchner was named as Social Affairs Secretary; Defence will be headed by José Pampuro a man very close to Mr. Duhalde and the Foreign Affairs job goes to Mr. Rafael Bielsa, an expert in Constitutional Law and for several years head of the National Syndic Office responsible for checking all government accounts.

Mr. Bielsa, who happens to be the brother of Argentina's national team coach originally belonged to the Frepaso, a mostly urban left leaning party that in coalition with former president Mr. Fernando de la Rúa formed the Alliance and in October 1999 won the national election defeating Peronist candidate Eduardo Duhalde.

Before his nomination in Foreign Affairs, with Mr. Kirchner's support Mr. Bielsa was going to compete for the government of the City of Buenos Aires.

Defence Secretary Jose Pampuro is a long time friend of Mr. Duhalde who helped him ensure the control of key areas in the province of Buenos Aires and as Secretary of the Presidency lobbied strongly among Peronist mayors and governors in favor of Mr. Kirchner's candidacy.

Aníbal Fernández will be Secretary of Interior (Home Office). He's described as a Mr. Duhalde loyalist and belongs to the current administration as Minister of Production.

Gustavo Béliz, a former Secretary of Interior in the early stages of the Menem administration who later formed his own party in alliance with former Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo and considered an independent will head the Justice, Security and Human Rights Department. Mr. Beliz is a lawyer with close links to the Catholic church.

Sociologist Daniel Filmus, an independent from the city of Buenos Aires, is the new Secretary of Education. For eight years he was Director of FLACSO, a prestigious Latinamerican social sciences think-tank. In 2000 he became Education Minister of the City of Buenos Aires.

Julio de Vido will head the newly created post of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services Secretary. An architect, he's been with Mr. Kirchner since he began his political career as mayor of Rio Gallegos in the early nineties. Mr. De Vido also presided over the "Kirchner President" committees that elaborated his government program and was the link between the elected president and the business community.

Mr. Kirchner's eldest sister, Alicia will head the Social Services Secretary, a job similar to the one she held when her brother was mayor of Rio Gallegos and later governor of the province of Santa Cruz. However in Buenos Aires she will have to manage hundreds of millions of dollars of support aid for the needy and unemployed.

Alberto Fernández considered Mr. Kirchner's right hand and head of his presidential campaign will be Cabinet Chief.

Oscar Parrilli, from the province of Neuquén who was instrumental in gaining support for Mr. Kirchner is several Patagonian provinces will hold the post of Secretary General of the Presidency.

Ginés González García, the current Public Health Secretary will continue in the incoming Kirchner administration. He's an expert in generic pharmaceutical products.

Carlos Tomada, also belonging to the Duhalde administration will be in charge of Labor affairs.