Mercosur

• Friday, November 25th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Remove FTAA talks from the “ideological field”

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that discussions for a Free Trade Areas of the Americas, FTAA, must be removed from the “ideological field” and ratified his interest in addressing the more sensitive issues in the framework of the World Trade Organization, WTO.

• Friday, November 25th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Chilean fishing industry protests FTA with China

  The Chilean fishing industry is unsatisfied with the tariff reduction timetable contemplated in the recently signed free trade agreement with China and is demanding a total ports ban for Chinese vessels operating in the area next to its 200 miles EEZ.

• Thursday, November 24th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivia accuses Venezuela of “interference in home affairs”

  Bolivia summoned a Venezuelan diplomat for having made statements against former leader and presidential candidate Jorge Quiroga which were considered as ”interference with (Bolivian) domestic affairs”, according to an official release Wednesday in La Paz.

• Thursday, November 24th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine Army tank assembly plant in Comodoro

  The Argentine Army presented Wednesday the first prototype of a locally assembled tank, “Patagon”, which is considered the first step towards creating a national defense procurement industry.

• Thursday, November 24th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  US/Andean countries free trade talks postponed

  Peru failed to conclude a free trade agreement with the United States and decided Wednesday to take a break in negotiations, as had happened with its Andean partners, Colombia and Ecuador, the day before

• Thursday, November 24th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula confirms tight budget policy and minister Palocci

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ratified Wednesday the country's “successful” economic policy emphasizing that Finance Minister Antonio Palocci plays a crucial role in its achievement and brushed aside proposals for a laxer fiscal policy to promote growth.

• Thursday, November 24th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Latinamerican regional trade forecasted in 74 billion US dollars

  Trade among the Latinamerican Integration Association (ALADI) members is forecasted t reach 74 billion US dollars this year, 24% higher that in 2004.

• Wednesday, November 23rd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Fujimori with significant political support in Peru

  Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, currently in custody in Chile, would be the second hopeful in a run off with leading presidential candidate Lourdes Flores, if he was allowed to participate in the April 2006 general election, according to an opinion poll from Datum published last Tuesday in Lima.

• Wednesday, November 23rd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  US open market to Chilean beef, lamb and pork

  After three long years of negotiations Chilean beef, lamb and pork have achieved direct access to the United States market informed the US Food Safety Inspection Service to its Chilean counterpart Agriculture and Livestock Survey, SAG.

• Wednesday, November 23rd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Two Lords and four MPs visit Argentina

  Two Lords and four British MPs are on a two days official visit to Argentina interested in knowing the political situation of the country and strengthening bilateral relations.