MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mr. Rato's “advises are not necessary”

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner publicly stated Wednesday that International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato “advises are not necessary”.

Mr. Kirchner was replying to Mr. Rato's Tuesday remarks requesting guarantees for foreign and domestic investments in Argentina, following the Argentine government's promotion of a campaign to boycott Shell products.

"Counselling from Mr. Rato is not necessary. We have been very respectful of things they did to us in the past. They talk about forms of making things and caution; they are so concerned now about forms, but they seem to forget about the past. Let's hope they really help us this time", said President Kirchner.

Further on the said Argentina is a country "that knows how to make things work. This kind of patronage we do not wish. We are interested in attracting investments, but good, sound investments".

During a ceremony in government house, Casa Rosada, president Kirchner underlined that "Argentina is a sovereign and independent country", which means "we are very jealous of the liberty to manage our economic policies".

Mr. Kirchner also took the opportunity to insist with the Shell boycott thanking the support and behaviour of the Argentine people, "who took to the streets to protest against those businessmen who have raised prices".

Shell, and a few days later Esso decided to increase fuel and lubricant prices between 2 and 4%, but were acidly criticized by the Kirchner administration for helping poke inflation and for "outrageous profit making".

The Kirchner administration recommended a "no buy" Shell products policy and even promoted picketers to occupy and impede Shell gasoline stations from doing normal business.