Stories for April 15th 2004

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Cruise season brings 33.000 visitors to Falklands.

Recently released statistics show that a record number of tourists visited the Falklands during the 2003/4 season. Ten years ago less than 4,000 people went to the Islands, but more awareness of the Falklands excellent wild-life and increased promotion of the destination, resulted in more than 30,000 visitors stepping ashore in the summer of 2003/4.

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Venezuelan president celebrates taunting Bush.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez celebrated this week the second anniversary of his resumption in office, by loyal military forces, blaming George W. Bush for the failed coup and claiming the U.S. president is still working to overthrow him.

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Mexico requests Mercosur associate membership.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez, said this Wednesday in Paraguay that Mexico hopes in the near future to enjoy “full membership” in Mercosur.

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Cuban Human Rights: Argentina abstains, Chile condemns.

Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Bielsa told Congress this Wednesday that Argentina will abstain from voting in United Nations on the controversial issue of human rights in Cuba because “we're convinced” that condemning “will not contribute materially to improve human rights in the island”.

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Argentina bans squid fishery south of parallel 44.

As anticipated Argentine fishery authorities decided to ban squid fishing (Illex argentinus) south of parallel 44Ãâ€šÃ‚Â°S because of exceptionally poor catches. The decision was made official Wednesday with the publication in the Official Gazette of decree 201/3004 effective midnight tonight April 14.

Thursday, April 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Giant squid heads for Natural History Museum in London.

While the Falklands Government and International Fishing Companies bemoan the current lack of commercial squid in the Falklands Economic Zone, considerable excitement has been created in the Islands by the catching of a 'giant' squid weighing 200 kilos.