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Argentine Deputies hold a session in Antarctica; Santa Cruz passes Aquaculture Bill; President Kirchner keeps the press happy.

Argentine Deputies hold a session in Antarctica

The 25 members and support staff of the Argentine House of Deputies Foreign Affairs Committee held a special session in the Argentine Antarctic base of Marambio in the framework of celebrations remembering Argentina's 100 years in Antarctica and 35 years of the hosting base started by the Argentine Air Force 35 years ago, reports the Buenos Aires press. Last Saturday's special two hours session included a very distinguished guest, former General Jorge Leal., 83, founder of another Argentine Antarctic base, Esperanza, and leader of the first Argentine ground expedition to the South Pole in 1965. Before actually sitting for the session the Deputies delegation, headed by representative Jorge Argüello, participated in the inauguration of an extension to the Science History Museum in Marambio with an exhibition of photos, utensils and equipment linked to the expedition previous to the founding of the Antarctic base. The delegation flew in for the three and a half hour stay in Marambio in an Argentine Air Force Hercules that took off from Rio Gallegos. "This is a historic session", underlined Deputy Argüello who officially opened the session adding that "our purpose is to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty which is dedicated to preserving the continent as a territory of peace and scientific research for the whole of humanity". The Foreign Affairs Committee also honoured General Leal for a life's dedication to Antarctica and Argentine interests in the area including the founding of Esperanza base. In a brief thanking speech General Leal said that "the Antarctic Treaty is a sort of umbrella for political issues, but it won't be for ever, and to defend our rights in Antarctica Argentina can't stand up by herself, we will need the support of a united South America and I trust it will be so, other wise I wouldn't have walked to the South Pole". Following the unanimous approval of eight initiatives, basically in support of greater scientific research and protection of the environment, since Buenos Aires is now the seat of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, the delegation of representatives and staff returned to the continent leaving behind three scientists who will be involved in summer research of fisheries and sea mammals. Apparently one of the humorous moments of the visit was during the exhibition of a video on Antarctic wildlife including a rookery. One of the Deputies said it looked like "a (Argentine) cabinet meeting" in direct reference to the fact that President Kirchner and his team of closest aides are referred as the "penguins" because they come from Santa Cruz province. Marambio based founded October 26 of 1969 has become a "strategic communications" centre between Antarctica and the continent and among the different bases in the region. It currently receives an estimated 2,500 visitors annually and last month a delegation of Argentine Senators where also present acknowledging Marambio base 35th anniversary in the framework of the presidential decree declaring 2004, "Year of Argentine Antarctica".

Santa Cruz passes Aquaculture Bill

Argentine Patagonian province of Santa Cruz finally has its Aquaculture Bill, originally submitted in 2002 it was unanimously passed with slight modifications during the latest session of the provincial House of Representatives. "The approval of the Aquaculture Bill is extremely important for the development and expansion of the industry in Santa Cruz", underlined Carlos Mariscano who drafted the bill and is chairman of the Fisheries, Tourism and Environment Committee. "Santa Cruz has all the adequate natural conditions for the development of aquaculture and has two unique characteristics compared to other regions: unpolluted waters ideal for fish farming and an extensive coastline, excellent for sea-culture", added Mr. Mariscano. Regarding the current situation of the local industry, Mr. Mariscano pointed out to the implementation of a very interesting project in Pavon Island consisting of farming trout and salmon in inland ponds, using water form the Santa Cruz river. "In Puerto Deseado we have a mussel project and "it's now imperative to establish regulations for this type of undertaking which are very encouraging", added the Santa Cruz legislator who also anticipated that the provincial government will now have to play an active role in promoting aquaculture projects. "Soft credit lines will be needed to encourage further investments form small and medium sized companies". (FIS/MP).-

President Kirchner keeps the press happy

The Argentine government spent close to 100 million pesos 33,3 million US dollars on official promotion publicity during 2004, double the 2003 amount, according to a report by Fundacion Poder Ciudadano published in Buenos Aires Sunday press. The figure includes state agency advertisements in newspapers and magazines, broadcasting, open and cable television, billboards, advertising company contracts and payments to television, radio and film production companies, revealed La Nacion working on extracts from the report. This is the first time the government has released information on its public relations and ads spending since Nestor Kirchner became president on May 25, 2003. According to the report, the 100 million pesos from January to November 2004, represents a 116% hike compared to last year's 46 million pesos, --15 million US dollars--, which was also in excess of budget estimates by 30%. Most of the money went to television channels but the report points out that: "curiously advertising preference is inversely proportional to channels' ratings". A parallel situation happened with the written press: Clarin and La Nacion are the two most-widely read papers in Argentina and received the largest publicity contracts from the Kirchner administration, but Pagina/12, at one time a notorious critic of all governments and with a "markedly" smaller circulation, received a "similar" monetary consideration.