Mercosur

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina needs a “full time” Foreign Secretary

  The influential Buenos Aires daily La Nación Thursday's main editorial called on Foreign Secretary Rafael Bielsa to resign because the Foreign Affairs ministry is a task of huge responsibility and therefore can't be in the hands of a “part time” official.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula's top advisor, first victim of corruption scandal

  Brazilian chief of staff Jose Dirceu resigned Thursday to return to Congress and “defend” himself against the expanding bribes scandal that is currently besetting President Lula da Silva's administration and the ruling Workers Party (PT).

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Budget battle dominates EU leaders talks

  Twenty-four European Union leaders confronted British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday and demanded he give up his country's multibillion dollar rebate in talks aimed at securing a new EU budget.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  In spite of record US deficit, expansion remains solid

  The United States current account deficit widened 3,6% in the first quarter of this year to an all time record of 195,1 billion US dollars, following 188,4 billion in the last quarter of 2004, reported the US Department of Commerce.

• Friday, June 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile becomes approved destination for Chinese tourism

  A delegation of Chilean private tourism operators together with Oscar Santelices Director of the country's Tourism Office are currently touring China's main cities Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing promoting Chile which has now become an open market for Chinese tourists.

• Thursday, June 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bielsa: “I'm not tied to the cabinet chair”

  Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa defended his right to remain in the cabinet post while campaigning for a seat in the Lower House, although he also pointed out that he's “not tied to the chair”.

• Thursday, June 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  EU-Mercosur trade talks

  Portugal and Spain called yesterday for more political input in the EU's trade negotiations with the Mercosur bloc, after five-year talks broke down.

• Thursday, June 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  NZ spearheads clean-Antarctica rules

  Anyone who damages Antarctica's pristine environment must now pay to clean it up under a new pact, New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said yesterday.

• Wednesday, June 15th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine court ruling buries amnesty bills

  Argentina's Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned as “unconstitutional” two 1986 laws that had shielded hundreds from prosecution for murder, kidnapping and torture carried out under the country's 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

• Wednesday, June 15th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Coca fields are again expanding in the Andes

  United Nations said Tuesday that coca fields in 2004 in the Andean region, which includes Colombia, Peru and Bolivia expanded, reversing the past three years decline.