Stories for May 23rd 2005

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Punta Arenas: Hot News

Headlines:
ENAP closes five oil rigs in Magellan Strait; Punta Arenas maritime agents disagree with peso billing.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Kirchner admits obstacles to Mercosur

Mercosur has “deep asymmetries” and until they are not solved, “the regional block will not have the viability of other integration processes”, said Argentine president Nestor Kirchner who next May 25 commemorates his second year in office.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Chavez threatens to cut relations with Washington

President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that Venezuela would break relations with the United States if Washington did not extradite “assassin and terrorist” Luis Posada Carriles to Caracas who was arrested last Tuesday in Miami.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Senate calls Bielsa to discuss “Malvinas” policy

Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa has been invited to the Senate next Tuesday to inform on Malvinas policy and the Kirchner administration's (late) reaction to the inclusion of South Atlantic islands in the European Union constitution.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Antuco tragedy opens debate on professional army

As blizzards cleared Chile awoke to the full scale of army incompetence that triggered a tragedy in the Andes. Ill-equipped 21 recruits marched to their death, with 24 still missing in the snow-capped Andes.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Long term fishing rights for Falklands companies

Falkland Islands fishing companies could soon have the right to fish in Falklands waters for an extended period, if the new Fishing Policy is approved.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Nuclear cooperation: Brazil denies Venezuelan approach

Brazil so far has not received any proposal from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez regarding nuclear cooperation between the two nations, but it will study any such proposal if and when it receives one.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Bolivia faced with a dead alley

Bolivia faces a renewed week of political instability as protesters take to the streets to demand more state control over the country's vast reserves of natural gas and President Carlos Mesa warned he would step down if violence erupts.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Spain defends EU policy towards Cuba

Spain defended Monday in Brussels the European Union's recent rapprochement with Cuba arguing that despite setbacks such as last week's expelling of several European legislators, the situation is better than before the thaw.

Monday, May 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

Andes tragedy: 10,000 US dollars compensation

The Chilean Army said Monday it would compensate families with 10,000 US dollars for each of the soldiers frozen to death belonging to a company marching in the Andes and who were exposed to a sudden, fierce blizzard.