Mercosur

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  President Lula launches reelection bid

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reelection bid was officially launched this week by his closest advisor and most influential minister, Jose Dirceu head of Planalto Palace (Government House).

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Federal Reserve hikes interest rate to 2,75%

  The Federal Open Market Committee decided Tuesday to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 2, 75%, and cautioned that it “will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to fulfill its obligation to maintain price stability”. This is the seventh hike running in nine months.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile's presidential primary July 31

  Chile's ruling coalition Concertación Democrática will be holding primary elections next July 31 to decide on its presidential candidate for December elections.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Yamani: oil prices will remain at current record levels

  Oil prices won't drop much from their current record levels unless the United States falls into recession, forecasted Saudi Arabian former Oil Minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina denies compensations for Malvinas veterans

  The Argentine government denies it was considering monetary compensations for Malvinas war veterans and for next of kin of killed servicemen.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Rumsfeld confirms closer US-Argentina military cooperation.

  US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld currently visiting Argentina said that US-Argentina relations are based on “a long friendship which continues to strengthen” and “on common challenges faced by both countries”.

• Wednesday, March 23rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Immigration reform in Bush-Fox agenda

  Democrat congressional leaders called on U.S. President George W. Bush and his Mexican counterpart Vicente Fox, to take action in reforming the current immigration system.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  EU fisheries inspection demand organoleptic controls.

  Although no immediate risks were detected, members of the European Union (EU) sanitary inspection mission that recently visited Argentina questioned the absence of proper organoleptic controls in fishing landings, first sale outlets and pre-processing stages. They also emphasised the need for homogeneous procedures and a greater participation of the country's Agro Food and Health National System (SENASA).

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivian democracy “on the verge of crumbling”

  Bolivian democracy is “on the verge of crumbling” due to pressures from leftist populism, stated “The Washington Post” in its Monday editorial which also urges a more concerted support effort from neighbouring countries and the United States to the beleaguered government of President Carlos Mesa.

• Tuesday, March 22nd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile confident with OAS candidacy

  Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Ignacio Walker said he was confident that the Chilean candidacy for Secretary General of the Organization of American States, OAS, will conclude “successfully”.