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Paraguay/Argentina Mercosur conflict: unions declare “five-day truce”

Thursday, December 9th 2010 - 07:57 UTC
Full article 43 comments

The blockade of landlocked Paraguay’s maritime and fluvial trade which threatens Mercosur unity has been “granted” a five-day truce by the Argentine maritime workers union responsible for the industrial action. Read full article

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  • Think

    A little publicized detail of this story is that about 80% of the merchandise blocked by the Argentinean Unions is being imported by Paraguayan Middle-Men to be smuggled to Brazil and Argentina avoiding local taxes and duties…..

    Wonder if Moyano & Co. installed some GPS tracking devices on some of the most expensive items ?

    Keep tuned..:-)

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 08:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    First blocking bridges now paralizing Paraguay trade. Its fun to have Argentina as your neighbour. It sounds very believable that CFK knows and supports this action. My advice to Paraguay would be that a five day “truce” offer clearly indicates the Argentine hostility. The term truce is terminology used in connection with war. Dont budge with Mercosur until real solutions and guarantees are offered and involve Brasil. Uruguay and Paraguay needs to work together to counter Argentine agression and bullying.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 09:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Ohhhh

    Pedro again....

    The anticommunist Argentina “expert” from.....
    What was it?
    Botswana, if I remember correctly :-)

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 09:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Spot-on Thinko,
    So whats your non-argument this time?? mmm?
    Proof of the 80% claim? mmmm?

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 09:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Ohhhh no......

    Not wasting my time with you again, you very honourable Black Botswanian “Wabenzi” gentleman that for some inscrutable reason chooses to fight his internet ideological battles against Argentina.....

    No way matey :-)

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 09:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Think will not debate with you if you facts are substantiated. Argipolispeak is the only thing he understands.
    If CFK wanted to stop it she would, I would not be surprised if the goods from Paraguay are somehow interfering in some nefarious trade she or one of her cronies is involved in. That is usually what is going on when something like this makes it into the news.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 12:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Thinko - unlike you I debate issues, not call people names and attack them personally. The other day when I said CFK is doing some good ( IMF assistance for INDEC and education allowance of the budget) you concurred with me. As I said before, I have never been anti- Argentina only anti-CFK. I do however acknowledge the good things she do. You on the other hand never admit to her wrongs.With her popularity around 55% it means that 45% Argentines are against her- like me. What do you “think” about them?
    Are they all wabenzi from Botswana?
    Still wont debate - because you cant?
    Come on Thinko you can do better.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 01:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • stick up your junta

    Careful of Thinks rapier like wit pedro,he may call you a turnip,

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    He, he - thats okay. Turnip,Wabenzi, kaffir, whatever - heard them all.
    When Thinko's etc.do that, I know I 've won the argument.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 02:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • riomarcos

    Argentina is just a big bully. First it was the Uruguayan border they blocked, now this. You would never see Brazil engage in this kind of brutish behaviour. We believe in free trade and that's why our economy is growing and growing. Notice that there's no A in BRICs. Small minded policies like this only lead to conflict. Argentina would never do this to a bigger neighbour because they know they would come out bruised.It's obvious from actions like this that Argentina has absolutely no interest in integration, it sees its neighbouring countries as inferior and whenever the economy is under-performing which is pretty much always, it starts on its maniacal obsessions with the Falklands. I think the Falklands should join Mercosul, it would be great to have a Commonwealth member in our ranks. But Argentina will never allow it, common sense is not really their forte. The Argentine government is by far the single greatest obstacle to integration within South America. It's a Napoleon complex that costs the country a tremendous amount of progress, money, and jobs, but mostly respect abroad.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 02:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (7) Pedro

    You say:
    “Think - unlike you I debate issues, not call people names and attack them personally”
    I said/say:

    Where are the “personal attacks” and “names calling” in?:
    “Very honourable Black Botswanian “Wabenzi” gentleman.”

    In honourable?
    In Black?
    In Botswanian?
    In Wabenzi?
    In Gentleman?

    If “Wabenzi” is the issue,….. I seem to remember that you where quite proud of being a rich successful citizen and if anything you would prefer to be called a “WaBMWnzi”….

    By the way I’m one too……………
    BMW 2002 / 1969 / Inka Orange :-)

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 06:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    I said it before, Mercosur is total nonsense.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 07:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Sergio Vega

    12.- I agree with you......and UNASUR is the same....
    Anyway, why not Falklands Islands, as a Southamerican country can 't joint together both of them???
    Or the island belong to SA only if they belong to Argentina???

    The Argentine GVT is the one that don´t eat and don´t allow to eat the others.....
    If the goods go to Argentina as smuggled is because some local bring them in....Don´t you believe?
    First Uruguay, now Paraguay, next .....Chile or Bolivia????? Brazil never because it´s bigger enough....

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 10:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • stick up your junta

    Brazil never because it´s bigger enough....

    Yep the Argies are strong with the weak,and weak with the strong
    BULLIES

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 10:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jerry

    Anybody remember the article which came out not too long after the famous money suitcase affair? Maybe this is really what is behind all this. ”By Carolina Barros - Bs. As. Herald staff — the latest projects between Caracas and Buenos Aires to seek new short cuts by other financial routes.---- Like the Bolivarian plan for the commercial control of the Hidrovía (the waterway connection via the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers between the River Plate estuary, the Argentine Northwest, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and southern Brazil) by creating a huge Argentine-Venezuelan fleet which was originally christened Fluvialba.”

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 11:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    Sergio Vega, Chile is doing well without Mercosur. And, excuse me! But I'm not the president of this country, actually, I don't like this government. I'm sure the islanders don't want to join Mercosur or UNASUR, I don't know, if you go to www.lanacion.com.ar Sergio, and read you'll see what's going on in Cap. Fed. everything is a mess, this is all over this country. I'm sure this government is a lie, and it can't survive for much too long. Brazil, well, Lula and Cristina are working well together, though I consider president Lula a great man, and I can't understand why Lula is what it is with Cristina de Kirchner. I hope this woman gets herself out of the Pink House much sooner than expected, because this is what she's doing, getting herself out of everywhere.

    There was a time when Argentina and Brazil went to war, why do you want Brazil and Argentina doing it again? stik up your junta, the UK is not weak. Is it?

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 11:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    What a bag of unusual Argie-allergical nuts this thread is becoming!............

    First “Pedro”; the Honourable Black Botswanian Anticommunist “Wabenzi” gentleman with a special dislike for Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

    Then “Fredbdc”; Watch-ington’s K.K.K. Grand Master and Fox News lover, always bragging about his latino servants and still whining about a Rolex, stolen from him, long ago, in Buenos Aires.

    Then “stick up your junta”…………. What can I say about “stick up your junta” ………… ………………erm ………………………he ……………………is British.

    Then“Riomarcos”; the eternally critical Brazilian. He really, really, really does not like Argentina.

    Then “xbarilox” …….………….…. What can I say about “xbarilox” ………… ………… ………..……erm ………………………he ……………………………is Chilean.

    Then “Sergio Vega”; Chilean and Pinochetista to the core, he tolerates human right but only for white rightwing people. His motto: The only good Indians and Leftists are dead Indians and Leftists.
    He hates Argentina even more since we dried up his used Land Rover business with Malvinas.

    Then “Jerry; Argentinean I believe, Antikirchner, Anticommunist, Antisocialist, Antiwhatever ................just Anti………………….

    Wonder who else is coming?................

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 11:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monty69

    Since when, Xbox, did you presume to speak for Falkland Islanders?
    I think it would be great if we could join Mercosur. Free trade with our South American neighbours is just what we want.

    As for you Think, you should fight your unhealthy obsession with where people come from. And your rather icky tendency to use it to dismiss anyone's views that don't coincide with yours.

    Go ahead, get stuck in; you haven't got round to insulting any Falkland Islanders yet.

    Dec 09th, 2010 - 11:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    18) Monthy 69

    Every single word I have written above about the diverse posters derives from their own words, posted in this forum. (except Fredbdc’s “Grand Master” title and xbarilox nationality)

    Neither do I dismiss anybody because of their country of origin ( Have to admit though that I have no interest whatsoever in debating with a gentleman from Botswana that does not live here but criticizes nearly every aspect of the political reality of my country by literally repeating the Argentinean opposition newspapers arguments.

    About insulting……
    Besides my botanical obsession with Turnips, I consider my posts to be quite free of profanities.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    I've not ideologies, I don't support a government just because I think it has the same ideology as me, I don't like a government that trades ideologies for money. I believe that social criticism is possible and necessary, I believe that talking about everything is the only way to become a great nation. This government is a LIE. It's not my fault. Take it or leave it, people. AS FOR LAS ISLAS MALVINAS, SON ARGENTINAS, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF CRISTINA FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER, SHE DOESN'T EVEN CARE ABOUT THE ISLANDS, SHE DOES IT BECAUSE SHE KNOWS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THE ISLANDS, SHE'S A LIAR. SHE'S DIGGING HER OWN TOMB, IT'S NOT MY FAULT. SHE SAID NO MORE IMF BUT HERE THEY ARE, IN ARGENTINA, AGAIN. WE'RE BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE MENEMATO, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE A REAL PRICE INDEX! THIS GOVERNMENT IS ROTTEN FROM INSIDE. I DON'T CARE IF PEOPLE ARE FROM THE LEFT, OR THE RIGHT, OR THE CENTER. WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT IS, ONLY GOD KNOWS IT, THAT'S FOR SURE IF GOD IS REAL. AS FAR AS I KNOW, STALIN WAS ONE OF THE BLODDIEST MASS MURDERERS AND CRIMINALS IN WORLD'S HISTORY. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STALIN, VIDELA, HARRY TRUMAN, PINOCHET, HITLER.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 12:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monty69

    'criticizes nearly every aspect of the political reality of my country by literally repeating the Argentinean opposition newspapers arguments.'

    Come on, Think, I've noticed that you Argentines aren't shy about quoting from everyone's favourite left wing rag the Grauniad. And Matthew Parris wrote his piece that you love so much as a piece of anti- government opinion when the Tories were in opposition.

    You shouldn't be dishing it out if you can't take it yourself.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 12:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    Monty69 an islander said that they don't like the idea, I've read it on this site. Anyway, it would be not the islanders, but the British government, they can't decide, they're not an independent territory.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 01:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (21)Monty69
    You are missing my point...

    The Botswanaman is not an interested part in the issue. (Argie, Resident, Kelper, Brit or Neighbor)
    He has no independent or original information or opinion whatsoever.
    Therefore, I don't wish to lose time with him .....

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 07:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • stick up your junta

    He has no independent or original information or opinion whatsoever.
    Therefore, I don't wish to lose time with him .....

    Nothing to do with him running rings around you then:-)

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Think, let me jog your feeble memory; YOU are the one who brought up my mugging in BA after you CYBER STALKED me and found a 5-7 yr old post on another board talking about your filthy, corrupt, dangerous country.
    You think your posts are witty and insightful but they are not, you are just a tired old Peronista tenuously grasping on to the glory days when you think Argentina was relevant. Rutabaga.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Thinko- My opinions are 100% authentic and original. If they sound the same as the opinions of the Opposition press in Ar, I am flattered. That shows Thinko, that I know much more about Ar than you want to admit. My relationship,knowledge,connection, business with Ar is unknown to you.Whatever it is, does not matter as I exercise my right to participate here. Drop Mercopress a line and prohibit al Botswanians form access and while you're at it all those anti KFC.
    Silence all comments that you dont like - KFC style. Or - you could be a man and argue ( unlikely hope) your case. As for communism, I am proudly anti-communist. Hundred million deaths in the former USSR, Checoslovakia etc, shining examples of economic dynamo,s like Cuba is enough proof. As for you not calling names etc. Thinko dont underestimate peoples intelligence. Finaly I never said I was rich. I said I work hard for what I have. The term Wabeemer was used by me not because I drive one but because I aspire to drive one. Any thing wrong with that? The average businessman in Botswana a third world country creates work for 6 people. They are not considered Wabenzi. Wabenzi are the government officials who steal the peoples money. Got it?

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 01:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    (26) Pedro

    I never doubted, challenged or discussed YOUR RIGHT of participation or expression.

    I simply don’t share your opinions nor understand your motivations.

    You may debate, argue, advise, discuss, trash out, lecture, preach or criticize as much as you want.

    Just not with me…………….

    I’m exercising MY RIGHT of not engaging in any exchange or communication with you.

    Exactly the same procedure Argentina is applying to Malvinas………

    Have a nice Weekend

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 04:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Your right Thinko, exercise your right not to communicate with me, but stop whining about me then.
    Good weekend to you too

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 04:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Paladin

    Can anybody tell me, what the childish squabbles of Pedro & think have to do with the serious problems problems at hand between Paraguay and Argentine, affecting thousands of workers and businessmen and women , on both sides of the border.

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 04:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Excuuuuuuuuse Us!

    Do you have the solution for the serious problems at hand between Paraguay and Argentine, affecting thousands of workers and businessmen and women , on both sides of the border?

    Dec 10th, 2010 - 06:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monty69

    'Exactly the same procedure Argentina is applying to Malvinas………'

    Interesting analogy Think. So why do you bother talking to us then?

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 01:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    A variety of reasons………………..
    But my ultimate goal would, of course, be to convince the bunch of you to pack your bags and get on a plane to Soapbublleshire, Kiwiland or Oz as so many Islanders have done in the past…………

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 01:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monty69

    I don't believe you.
    I believe that's what you'd like us to do. You must by now have realised that we never will.
    I think you do it for fun, and because you think you're smarter than we are ;-)

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 01:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Zethee

    “I’m exercising MY RIGHT of not engaging in any exchange or communication with you.

    Exactly the same procedure Argentina is applying to Malvinas………”

    A lie. A massive great lie.

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 03:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jerry

    #17 think - You have part of this correct; I am Anti - . But the only thing I am really anti is: Anti-EVIL. Punto!

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 04:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Pedro: What you don't understand about THINK calling you corrupt government official is that in Argentina its a compliment!

    Also on a quick read he seems to be well educated but on closer inspection he is not smart so he deflects by making clever quips and put downs with words he found on the internet but really doens't understand. He thinks no one will notice and it makes him feel superior while the rest of us yawn knowing he is a “turnip”.

    I think he must be a very bitter man, because for this whole life he has seen his standard of living drop year over year while he pines for the glory days when he could travel and buy imported items to enjoy. He knows those days are long gone never to return for him or his grandchildren. It's very sad really.

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Fred - I do understand Think. He is defending his country. Not nice to have everyone bitching about your country all the time. I am guillty of blaming Argentina when I should be blaming CFK. I know many very nice Argentines and many of them dont like CFK either. That doesnt mean that those that do support her are all bad people.I will refrain in future from blaming the country when it is specific politicians causing the rot. As for things getting worse, for those that experienced the collapse things are a lot better now. That fact needs to be acknowledged.

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 02:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    fredbdc again! I woudn't care what fred says, someone who lies about his nationality, it means he is ashamed of his country. So, here I am thinking fred is a Bolivian or Paraguayan who feels rejected, that's why his hateful comments, anyway, it would be nice of you fred, if you take your Bolivian or Paraguayan brothers with you out of my country, that would be a really nice gesture. You criticize Argentina, when your own country is a disaster, pahleeeeeze!

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 02:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Pedro, I think it is perfectly acceptable to talk about the people of a country rather than their government. When THE PEOPLE continue to elect corrupt government officials and watch their country slide into oblivion over teh past 60 years it is their fault not the current gov't. CFK is one in a very long line of corrupt politicians. I think the Ks have squandered yet another “recovery”. They have stolen all the hard currency savings out of the economy, driven out investment and foreign ownership, maligned and antagonized their neighbors, the list goes on and on. Yet she will probably be re-elected. Yes it is the ignorant population that is to blame.
    I will admit that the economy apprears better than it was in 2001. This ”recovery' is not sustainable, there has been no increase in productivity and 1 bad drought and they are back to where they were in 2001. It is just a matter of time.

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 02:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Fred- people elect politicians in the hope that they do what is right. When Obama was elected I was thrilled. Unfortunately so far he has been dissappointing. The wars in Irak and Afganistan continues and in the latter case have been escalated. Sanctions against Iran is affecting oils prices causing havoc in 3rd world countries. A large part of the current economic situation is a cause of the wars.The expectations around Obama has not been realised. That is also the case in Brittain after Brown/Blair. The same goes for Argentina. Who do you vote for besides CFK and what are the guarantees that they will be better? Obama is a point in case. Wikileaks shows corruption from the west as well. The world at large is morally bancrupt in p0litical terms. Some less so than others but corrupt they all are. How do you explain the soft approach to Zimbabwe and Myanmar compared to wars in other parts of the world? The world economy as is practised is unsustainable.Beware of the dubble bubble. CFK's policies will determine that to an extent but intenational economics and the USA/Brittain/Europe/China will cause it.

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 03:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Pedro, I didn't vote for Obama but I also didn't think he would be such a complete disaster. The difference, and the point I was making, is that the USA changed their congress because the democrats have turned the direction of the country against the will of the majority. We will change our elected officials if they do a bad job, Argentina doens't they keep electing bad to worse over and over again. At some point they obviously become responsible for the mess they are in.
    Wikileaks did not have any information that wasn't already known or suspected. Do you think politicians tell the truth to the population all the time or that they don't have personal feelings about some leaders? You can not be that naive.
    The economic collapse was not caused by the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, they may have played a very small part in this downturn but there are lot of different factors that converged at the same time that made this happen. Your view is too simplistic and somewhat biased.

    I too believe we are in for another huge downturn. I don't think we are on a sustainable path. My one hope is that Republicans are the new majority and the mood of the citizens of the USA has changed so we may be able to correct this disaster early next year with an austerity budget. I hope it happens and soon!

    Dec 11th, 2010 - 09:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pedro

    Fred - we concur on most things exept your comment that my views are simpistic and naieve. If the US especially, Britain and Europe did not have to spend the billions on the wars and there was free flow of oil those two factors alone would hace softened the entire economic crisis and allowed their economies to recover much faster. Now it is much more difficult. You know the effect on the world economy should the US etc. economies recover. The global financal impact of the wars are underestimated and under reported.

    Dec 13th, 2010 - 07:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • fredbdc

    Neither country has has trouble borrowing nor have seen their borrowing cost escalate since the war's inception. Most of the military goods are purchased nationally, except for some oil etc which may have put strain on world supplies but that has not been reflected in higher oil prices they have been pretty stable the last 10 years. So I think you are wrong that it has had a large net negative effect on world, UK or USA economies. War in general is needed for the technological advancements alone not to mention the “live” training that we acquired. We have learned a lot in these two wars, new ways to fight, lots and lots of new equipment with very little loss of USA lives. You can't maintain a battle ready military if you have not had any actual battles! I do think it is time to wrap both of these up they have gone on too long and the general population is growing weary.

    Dec 13th, 2010 - 12:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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