Stories for January 23rd 2004

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Bombilla House destroyed by fire;
Bielsa: we will ?retake' Islands; Maersk test visit delayed; Staff nurse charged with theft; International cricket; This week's cruises.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Bielsa: no de-escalation of conflict situation

Argentine Foreign Affairs Secretary Rafael Bielsa emphasized today that even if the sovereignty conflict over the Falklands takes 400 years, “we'll have 400 years of patience, but the Islands will be returned to Argentina”.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Recruiting for peace keeping operations

A top level delegation of Spanish and United States Defence officials is currently in Chile trying to convince the Chilean government of a greater participation in international peace keeping missions, among which Iraq.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

“My best enemy” recalls 1978 conflict

Chilean movie director Alex Bowen will begin filming next February events recreating the 1978 atmosphere in Patagonia when Chile and Argentina almost went to war over disputes islands in the Beagle Channel to the south of Magellan Strait.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Brazilian basic rate remains unchanged at 16,5%

Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Copom, decided this Wednesday in its monthly meeting to keep the basic reference interest rate unchanged at 16,5%.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Massive intoxication in Puerto Montt

Chief Medical Officer of Chile's X. Region José Antonio Vergara called on the local population not to consumer shell fish or crustaceans live or cooked, until the causes of a massive intoxication can be determined.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Euro appreciation alarm is on

A major appreciation of the Euro in world money markets could harm the European economy debilitating the still tepid domestic demand and endangering fiscal policy, according to the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development, OCDE.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Latinamerica set to grow 4% in 2004

Latinamerica will expand a solid 4% during 2004, well ahead of the 1,5% of 2003, Interamerican Development Bank, IDB, Director General Enrique Iglesias said today in Spain during a forum of the region's economic prospects.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Former HMS Sheffield in Punta Arenas

The latest and most modern acquisition of the Chilean Navy, “Almirante Williams”, former HMS Sheffield, arrived in Punta Arenas Wednesday greeted by a display of the local naval units stationed in the port.

Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Gaining ground for January 28

While Argentine president Nestor Kirchner kept pounding against what he described as vested interests which are pressing the government for greater payments to the country's creditors, the president of the Argentine Central Bank addressing the Davos forum said that sovereign bondholders must accept a “great cut”.