Argentina

• Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Grain export fraud in Argentina estimated in 1.76 billion USD

  

  The Argentine government will claim 1.76 billion US dollars from grain exporters who had registered overseas sales of cereals and oilseeds which they did not hold at the moment in silos or purchase orders, according to the Buenos Aires press.

• Monday, July 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Repeal of latest farm export tax estimated in 1.5 billion USD

  

  The Argentine government decision to repeal the controversial grains and oilseeds sliding export tax system, --which triggered a four month conflict with farmers-- will cost the Treasury an estimated 1.25 to1.5 billion US dollars according to economic experts quoted in the Buenos Aires media.

• Saturday, July 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  When Mrs. Kirchner's resignation became a real option

  The tense hours following the stunning defeat of the grain and oilseed export tax in the Argentine Senate have been by far the most demanding moments ever undergone by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner since even her resignation was considered, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press.

• Friday, July 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Conflict still on, until resolution 125 is revoked by Executive

  Argentine farm organizations called Thursday on President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to revoke the controversial sliding grain and oilseeds export tax, resolution 125, as the government had promised if the bill was repealed by Congress.

• Friday, July 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  C. Kirchner promises to fight on “for those who have less”

  Speaking for the first time since the stunning defeat suffered in Congress Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said that she will continue to fight “for those who have less” and promised to insist with policies that “affect interests”.

• Friday, July 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Spain supports re-Argentinization of Aerolíneas & Austral

  Spanish vice president Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega described on Friday the agreement by which Argentina regains control of flag air carrier Aerolineas Argentinas as “satisfactory”.

• Friday, July 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Mrs. Kirchner cancels export tax; farmers' conflict “is over”

  President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner administration canceled the widely protested farm export tax hike on Friday following four long months of protest and a stunning rejection by the Senate. First reactions from farmers was that the “conflict is over”.

• Friday, July 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  The Economist warns of 3 years of lame-duck presidency

  Under the heading of “Losing friends fast” The Economist refers to the milestone last 48 hours in Argentina and concludes that if President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner does not learn fast from her mistakes, “she may go down as one of the longest-serving lame ducks in recent democratic history”.

• Thursday, July 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine Senate knocks out Kirchners farm export tax

  

  After a dramatic 18hrs session senators tied 36 to 36 in two votes on the measure. Julio Cobos, the vice-president voted against the proposal, breaking the tie. The bill was approved by the lower house of Congress on July 5.

• Thursday, July 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine government takes over Aerolineas

  

  Argentina announced Thursday it had reached an agreement with the Spanish group Marsans for the transfer of the country's main airline Aerolíenas Argentinas and its subsidiary Austral to the Argentine state.