MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Farmers' conflict: Kirchner group delay tactics in Congress

For third consecutive day the Argentine Lower House Agriculture and Budget committee continued to consider the sliding tax on grain and oilseed exports which triggered a 103 day conflict between farmers and the Kirchner administration.

As in previous sessions, and open to the public, members of Congress from the opposition supported by farmers and provincial mayors tried to convince Deputies from the ruling coalition to hold an open debate on the controversial Resolution 125. Following on instructions from President Kirchner members of the Committee who are aligned with the government are insisting the resolution becomes law as sent by the Executive granting the sliding export tax the legislative ratification. However, opposition Deputies accused the government of deliberately delaying consideration of the resolution so as to have the bill automatically approved. "The government is intent in delaying instead of modifying the bill which caused the worst crisis with the farming sector. The sessions of the last two days have discussed a little bit here, a little bit there, but nothing sustantive", complained Fernanda Reyes from the Civic Coalition. But dissident Congress members from the ruling coalition block said they were optimistic about having modifications introduced. "I think we can manage a growing consensus which will finally modify some aspects of the resolution 125", said Deputy Jorge Sarghini from the dissident groups. "We need a lot of effort to reach an alternative proposal and I think it is correct that government Deputies defend the government, if they believe that is the best, but not simply following orders. After all they are elected representatives of the people", said Sarghini. But the stand off has also become a competition to attract public opinion support with tents set up in the square across from Congress. Five air conditioned and illuminated tents host government youth groups which lobby for resolution 125 and the sliding tax on soybean exports. A sixth tent, more modest and green, was set up by farmers who take turns in explaining to those wishing to listen the reason for the conflict. The colorful side of the scenery in Congress square is the inflated cows and eggs on the one side and penguins on the other which adorn the tents and clearly signal whom they support.