Mercosur

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  March 24, “a day of memory, justice and truth”

  The official Argentine calendar has incorporated March 24 as a “National Day of memory, truth and justice”, in coincidence with the 30th anniversary of the military coup that inaugurated one of the bloodiest dictatorships the country has known in many decades.

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Three Peruvian presidential hopefuls technically tied

  With just over three weeks countdown to April 9 presidential election the Peruvian electorate is baffling candidates and public opinion pollsters. The latest poll this week in Lima shows three leading candidates technically tied.

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Protestors block weakened Ecuador government

  Ecuadorian Indians on Thursday promised to continue protests that have blocked the country's main north-south highway until the government stops negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States.

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Pulp mills conflict: “no back stepping” says Uruguay

  Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez said that Uruguay is always willing to discuss a solution to the pulp mills dispute with Argentina, but vowed that his administration would not stop the construction of the plants in spite of the “illegal” pickets.

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Gibraltar/UK constitutional talks are “going well”

  Gibraltar and United Kingdom delegations at the constitutional talks in London which began Wednesday agreed that they had made good progress on various issues discussed during the first day's session.

• Wednesday, March 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine Squid landings exceed 42,000 tonnes over the first two months of 2006

  Information provided by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food (SAGP&A) indicates that over the two first months of 2006, landings of shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) were pegged at 42,202.1 tonnes.

• Wednesday, March 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner urges: don't buy beef!

  President Nestor Kirchner urged Argentines Tuesday do not buy beef if prices continue to climb and said he wouldn't hesitate to extend to a full year a six-month ban on beef exports by the world's five largest producer

• Wednesday, March 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Jailed Fujimori feeling romantic

  A Japanese supporter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori said she will marry him and soon file a marriage registration in Japan.

• Wednesday, March 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina expects 4.1 million tourists in 2006

  Argentina's tourism industry expects revenue in the range of 3.5 billion US dollars in 2006, 15.6% more than in 2005, said Tourism Under-secretary Daniel Aguilera.

• Wednesday, March 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian opposition names candidate to face Lula

  Geraldo Alkmin, governor of São Paulo state, was named this week presidential candidate for Brazil's main opposition party PSDB, ending months of internal wrangling between Mr Alkmin and his rival for the candidacy, José Serra, mayor of São Paulo city.