Argentine farmers on Wednesday decided to suspend three-weeks of strikes and road blocks aimed at reducing additional export tariffs on oil seeds and grains, calling for a 30-day truce and talks with the government.
Argentine striking farmers confirmed on Monday that their massive protest will continue until next Wednesday following the announcement of government measures and a speech from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
The main memorial ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the Argentine landings on the Malvinas is to be held today at 12.30 at Plaza San Martín in downtown Buenos Aires. Expected to speak is retired Admiral Carlos Busser, who led the landings.
Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has formally requested an immediate alternative for the annual scientific cruises to assess the biomass of squid (Illex argentinus), data considered essential for the management of the fisheries.
Argentine farmers and government representatives are set to meet again this Monday for another round of talks in spite of a resumption of road blocks and threats of use of public force to clear the way for trucks loaded with perishable goods.
Argentina's trade surplus in February jumped 23.5% over a year ago reaching 982 million US dollars, but lower than expected because of a surge in imports according to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics and Census, Indec.
Higher food and fuel prices plunged 1.3 million Argentines below the poverty line in 2007, which means the income of 10.8 million Argentines is not enough to cover the costs of the basic food basket, according to a paper from the Buenos Aires think tank Sociedad de Estudios Laborales, SEL.
Buenos Aires City conservative Mayor Mauricio Macri blamed Argentina's farmers lockout on the government of President Cristina Kirchner and, in what seemed a reference to her and her husband and predecessor Néstor Kirchner, he criticized those who seek eternal power.
Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner cancelled her coming trip to Great Britain because of the worsening of the farmers' 17 days conflict. Mrs. Kirchner was expecting to talk about Argentina's Falklands' claims in London.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will head next Wednesday April 2, --the 26th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands--, the main ceremony of the Veterans and Fallen in the Malvinas War Day.