Stories for July 20th 2004

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

EU-Mercosur round in Brussels.

The European Union and Mercosur delegates will attempt this week in Brussels to cut differences and advance in a free trade agreement that has been elusive since 1999. The agreed timetable for reaching an understanding is next October.

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Lloyds Bank sell assets in Argentina.

Lloyds Bank Argentina has reached an agreement with Patagonia Sudameris Bank for the transfer of local operations, said a spokesperson for the British bank that a few months ago announced its decision to abandon Argentina.

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Aeolic energy for gasoline station.

Under the name of “El Patagón”, the Brazilian oil company Petrobras inaugurated this weekend the first gasoline station in Patagonia that functions with a combination of conventional and Aeolic (wind) energy.

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Pinochet US bank accounts: Bush promises “full investigation”.

US President George W. Bush said this Monday that the US Senate will deliver a “full investigation” on the Riggs Bank alleged cover up operations with funds and accounts belonging to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

President Lagos rejects “gas for sea” proposal.

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos said Chile is prepared to negotiate with Bolivia future gas projects following the massive support for his Bolivian counterpart Carlos Mesa energy policy in last Sunday's referendum. However the Chilean president insisted that no “sovereign” access to the Pacific Ocean is on the negotiation table.

Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

Relief for Repsol-YPF Bolivian project.

Sunday's referendum in Bolivia which opened the way for the country's export of natural gas has come as a relief to Repsol-YPF, one of several corporations involved in a massive 6 billion US dollars ambitious plan to commercialize the country's vast hydrocarbon resources.