MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine farmers flexible but hope for “national celebration”

Argentine farmers said on Wednesday they are willing to discuss the controversial sliding levies on grains and oil seed exports but also cautioned they were looking forward to a grand national celebration in the scheduled Sunday rally at Rosario, and not another occasion of “protest and claims”.

On Wednesday the farmers eight day strike (and seventy odd days conflict) was officially lifted, although some of the more active groups remain in a "state of alert" but the Argentine government kept its word and called (as promised) for a Thursday meeting with representatives from the four organizations conducting the protest. "We will insist on a return to March 10 (when the controversial export taxes were increased), but if the government remains adamant we might find optional schemes to the sliding export taxes", said Luciano Miguens, president of the Argentine Rural Society. Cabinet chief Alberto Fernandez has summoned camp delegates for a meeting on Thursday at the Ministry of Economy, which is also a step forward since in previous occasions most of the talking was done by government political representatives more intent in dividing the farmers than reaching a suitable solution. Mr. Miguens flexibility announcement is also a boost for the cabinet chief who was one of the most pragmatic ("dovish") officials and was pushed aside by the "hawks". "We still have some issues to untie such as beef exports and a basic price for wheat, which were agreed but remain without implementation. We hope we can define this tomorrow on time for the coming wheat planting", added Mr. Miguens. However Mr. Miguens also underlined he was hopeful the government "wouldn't let the camp down" and next Sunday, May 25th, Argentina's main national celebration, the scheduled rally which had been announced last week by farmers "would turn into a celebration for having reached an agreement, and not another occasion and place to protest and demand the end of a long list of grievances". On May 25th Argentina celebrates its first open meeting under Spanish colonial rule (1810) which triggered independence. It's a national holiday and usually an opportunity for government to make significant political announcements. In the darkest days of the conflict the government announced it was moving the celebration to Salta, friendly turf in the north of Argentina fearing protests in Buenos Aires on support of the camp and protesting inflation, which has become the Kirchners administrations main challenge. Farmers called on the same day for a rally at the foot of the majestic Monument to the Flag, in Rosario where the country's main grain and oilseed export markets operate. A massive concentration is expected next Sunday, carrying Argentine flags which became the symbol of the protest during the many weeks of the farmers' conflict. Meantime a close ally of the Kirchners and head of the truckers union who is also president of the CGT, the once all powerful Trade Unions Confederation, Hugo Moyano described the farmers protest as "a coup attempt by civilians", and promised "to defend the government of Mrs. Kirchner and Argentine institutions" at all costs. "All this weeks long madness we have seen was contained by the strength of the Argentine government and the support from the vast majority of the Argentine people", underlined Moyano who added it was "not true" that people supported the stoppage "and food shortages in cities". However Argentine political analysts have a different perspective beginning by the fact that it was the Catholic Church, provincial governors and other Argentine institutions, --interpreting the national outcry-- that called on both sides for an immediate dialogue and solution to the conflict. Joaquin Morales Solá a prestigious columnist from Buenos Aires daily La Nacion points out that Mrs. Kirchner, once the farm dispute is over, has three main tasks to address: inflation, rebuild confidence lost in the Argentine economy and last but not least rebuild her personal standing as political leader. "No other Argentine president democratically elected has squandered so many percentage points of support in just five months in office".