MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina farmers' conflict: stalemate traps government

Pte. Fernandez describe farmers as “oligarchs” and defining the protests as “abundance pickets”

The Argentine government farmers' conflict, on its fourteenth day seems to have reached a stalemate with all actors involved unable to decide what the next step is and adopting increasingly inflexible positions, even possibly loosing control of future events.

Farmers have decided, given the lack of any positive message, to continue with their indefinite mobilization actions which have virtually brought all agriculture related markets in Argentina to a standstill. The worst signal came on Tuesday evening with an aggressive speech from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner calling farmers "oligarchs" and defining the protests as "abundance pickets" by opposition to the "normal" scarcity pickets of the unemployed and homeless who regularly roam through Buenos Aires. Any chance of dialogue, as was expected by the Argentine political establishment and even some of her political allies, was incinerated. Mrs Kirchner's strong warning was reiterated Wednesday morning by Economy minister Martin Lousteau who ratified the controversial sliding export taxes on grains and other farm produce which triggered the camp road blocks and protests. Lousteau said the levies were to ensure all Argentines could have a decent meal (at Argentine costs) and added the current policy is directed to the "redistribution of hyper profits", generated by the windfall from international prices of commodities. He underlined world food prices haven't been so high since 1845, yes 1845. Justice Minister Anibal Fernandez later warned that picketers involved in roadblocks which impeded trucks with perishables from crossing would be arrested and highways liberated. Following Mrs Kirchner's speech in some quarters of Buenos Aires and other cities people came out to the streets to protest banging saucepans bringing memories of the 2001/2002 crisis when the call word was "get rid of all politicians". But half an hour later, typical "brown shirt" pro-government pickets flooded Buenos Aires main square Plaza de Mayo beating away the peaceful demonstrators. The brown shirts chanting "fatherland yes, colony no" were led by a notorious thug who is known for his strong pro Venezuela and pro Iran stance including "expelling the Jews from Palestine" or "sending them back to Germany". But the more aggressive government officials became, farmers reacted with a mushrooming of roadblocks and protestors all over Argentina, which are now estimated in more than 400, blocking the country's main highways system. Protestors were also joined by their families, wives and children chanting anti government slogans and questioning Mrs. Kirchner's knowledge of camp affairs and her family's fortune. The all powerful teamsters' union which promised to help clear the highways for the trucks (if necessary with violence) couldn't move split by members who decided to support their usual customers, the farmers. Meantime in the main cities growing shortages of meat, dairy produce, fresh vegetables are beginning to pinch plus the fact that since the camp stopped supplying markets, two weeks ago, the food basket price index has risen 12.5%. The only ray of hope came from the most seasoned political governors (Cordoba, Santa Fe, Tucuman, Santiago del Estero, Entre Rios) who have established channels of communication with farmers organizations and are trying to facilitate a face saving first round of dialogue. Farmers' organizations have been surprised by the spontaneous success and support for the protest –and so have admitted to the governors'--, which also could be complicated at the moment of demobilizing and working out an understanding. The conflict has also moved into internet with the different organizations sending out releases and one most interesting. Hugo Moyano, the leader of the teamsters, and head of Argentina's confederation of unions, CGT, close ally of the Kirchners, has been congratulated for joining the farmers' club. Apparently he recently acquired a farm in the rich province of Buenos Aires for which he paid four million US dollars cash. The release ends asking Mr. Moyano "where does your loyalty stand now: with teamsters of with farmers".