Stories for April 12th 2004

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Irizar incident: Argentina insists in original position.

Last Wednesday the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially replied to Britain's non satisfaction with the March 15/16 naval icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” “policing” incident in Falkland Islands exclusive jurisdiction waters.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Kirchner recovering but must remain in hospital.

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner who since last Friday remains in Rio Gallegos Hospital after suffering a gastric injury, continues “to improve satisfactorily” with all his “vital parameters completely normalized”, indicated this Sunday his personal doctor, Luis Buonomo.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Brazil to command UN peace contingent in Haiti.

Brazil will be commanding a United Nations peace force to be deployed in Haiti that will be made up of Peruvian, Chilean, Argentine as well as Brazilian servicemen announced Brazilian Minister of Defence Jose Viegas.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Santiago residents contrary to Bolivian Pacific outlet.

Three out of four Santiago residents reject the proposal of giving Bolivia an outlet to the sea, according to a public opinion poll published this Sunday in Chile's most influential daily El Mercurio. Only 14% favour the proposal.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Mercosur criticizes US and praises EU.

The president of Mercosur' Council of Permanent Representatives, Eduardo Duhalde criticized the United State for insisting with “very selfish” criteria in the building process of the Free Trade Association of the Americas that is scheduled to be launched in 2005 encompassing all American countries with the exception of Cuba.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Argentine expatriates transfer 225 million US dollars

Argentines living abroad sent back home in 2003 the equivalent of 225 million US dollars a 22% increase over 2002, according to the Interamerican Development Bank Investments Multilateral Fund which keeps track of funds transferred by Latinamericans overseas.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Argentina has become “latinamericanized”

After several decades of low poverty Argentina has become highly “latinamericanized” and even with prospects of recovery the country still faces “social emergency” conditions according to a report from a private organization, Fundacion Capital.

Monday, April 12th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Bank of England basic rate unchanged at 4%

In spite of surging house prices and ballooning consumer debt the Bank of England Monetary policy Committee decided last week to keep interest rates unchanged at 4%.