MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

President Kirchner wraps cabinet reshuffle

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner wrapped up Thursday the reshuffling of his cabinet taking the oath to four new ministers during a brief ceremony in Casa Rosada with no speeches and a general feeling of relief.

For the first time in Argentine history two women will be leading the crucial ministries of Economy and Defence, Felisa Miceli and Nilda Garré. The two other cabinet posts: Foreign Affairs went to Jorge Taiana, an experienced diplomat and strong human rights advocate, and Social Development to a doctor with close links to President Kirchner.

However the highlight of the ceremony was the naming of economist Miceli who replaced Roberto Lavagna the man that in less than three years put the Argentine economy back on its tracks and steered the largest ever defaulted foreign debt restructuring.

Although Mr. Lavagna was the cabinet's heavy weight, Mr. Kirchner's landslide win in the October mid term election did not leave much room for the former minister.

Ms Miceli has ahead the challenge of abating inflation, unemployment, poverty, attracting investment, keeping the economy running at its current strong pace and resuming talks with the International Monetary Fund.

The Argentine press revealed that IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato sent a congratulations letter to Ms Miceli and was on the phone with Mr. Lavagna praising him for services rendered to Argentina.

"We hope to have an active dialogue with the new minister and her team", said in Washington Tom Dawson, IMF spokesperson.

"When the new minister shows interest in meeting with us, we will be glad to do so".

Dawson added that the IMF was closely monitoring Argentina's inflation, "which we also know is of great concern to Argentine authorities".

The other woman minister is Nilda Garré in Defence. The former ambassador in Venezuela replaces Jose Pampuro who last October was elected Senator and will be taking office next December 10.

Ms. Garre has a guerrilla background but is now a solicitor expert in human rights. Her role as link between the government and the Armed Forces could turn complicated since most legislation sheltering former officers involved in alleged abuses during the military dictatorship (1976/83) have been overruled and a proliferation of court cases are forecasted.

In Social Development, President Kirchner's sister Alicia was replaced by one of her closest advisors, Dr. Juan Carlos Nadalich. A man clearly identified with the K family. Ms Alicia Kirchner next December 10 will take office as Senator for her home province of Santa Cruz.

Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana takes over Rafael Bielsa's post who was elected member of the Lower House representing the City of Buenos Aires.

Mr. Taiana in his fifties has a long standing in the ruling Peronist party: his father was Juan Domingo Peron's private doctor and he was jailed several years for "subversive" activities during the military dictatorship. He later spent time exiled in Mexico.

He was ambassador in Guatemala and five years member of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter American Human Rights Committee.

When Mr. Kirchner emerged as a national figure in Argentina, Mr. Taiana and a group of followers quickly joined the former governor.