
By Harold Briley - Hitler exploited the Olympics. Argentina’s cynical and infantile exploitation of the Olympic Games for political purposes is a reminder, if any is needed, of its persistent failure to abide by accepted standards of honesty and decency.

April inflation in Argentina averaged 2.16% accumulating 23.45% in the last twelve months, --more than double the official index-- according to the monthly release from opposition members of Congress based on information from private economic consultants.

Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota praised the “great political convergence” between Argentina and Brazil and assured that any existing problems related to the bilateral trade “do not tarnish this very strong reality.”

Argentina’s Cristina Fernández spoke to French president- elect François Hollande and newly elected Russian president Vladimir Putin to congratulate them on their wins and agreed to meet them both in the next G20 meeting in Mexico.

The Argentine government reactivated the National Committee of former Malvinas combatants which will support legal actions against crimes committed by Argentine officers during the 1982 conflict and demand DNA tests to identify the 123 remains buried in the Darwin cemetery in the Falklands.

A former Argentine Energy and Industry secretary questioned the energy policy of President Cristina Fernandez administration but also strongly criticized Spain’s Repsol management of the recently seized YPF.

Uruguay’s Vice-president Danilo Astori said Mercosur is going through its worst moment in history because some of its members in practical terms “are denying the most basic principles”.

British relations in South America could falter if the UK Government refuses to hold talks on the Falkland Islands sovereignty with Argentina, the country’s ambassador to London said this week.

Argentine President Cristina Fernández vindicated on Tuesday the nationalization of public services and said that all decisions made “are not rooted in ideology or populist decisions. It’s the disaster caused by the concessionary companies that forces us to intervene”.

Argentine Vice President Amado Boudou on Tuesday urged US companies to invest in YPF, the nationalized oil company that Argentina recently expropriated from Spain's Repsol.