Stories for November 10th 2003

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Regional News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines:
Argentine consulate broken in; Chilean Institute promotes Antarctica; AIDS case causes alarm in Punta Arenas; Antarctica XXI takes off December.

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Rift over President Kirchner's economic policies.

Argentine Minister of Interior Anibal Fernández ratified this Sunday that no public utility rates will be modified until all contracts have been reviewed, adding that those companies that did not keep to contract “will have the concession rescinded”.

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

A more flexible FTAA.

Delegates from United States and fifteen other hemispheric countries meeting over the weekend in Virginia have apparently discovered the word “flexibility” which should help push aside fears of failure in the coming Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, and ministerial summit to be held in Miami.

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Per capita income, 3,700 US dollars.

Argentina's per capita income after dropping 60% in 2002 will reach 3,700 US dollars in 2004, which is still below Chile and Mexico, and a mere 7% of the average Swiss per capita income.

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

“Privatizations are successful”.

The privatization process of government companies in Latinamerica during the eighties and nineties has been overwhelmingly successful, in spite of popular perception to the contrary according to a report published by the Interamerican Development Bank, IDB.

Monday, November 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

World trade remains stagnant.

World trade expanded 3% in real terms during 2002, half the annual average rate of the last decade according to a report from the World Trade Organization, “World Trade Statistics 2003” released in Geneva.