Mercosur

• 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”.

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

  Standard Wool Chile active in Magallanes.

  Standard Wool Chile is active in the Magallanes Region wool market in spite of the recent blaze which completely destroyed its processing plant in Punta Arenas.

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

  Hot News from Pta. Arenas.

  Headlines:
  Queen Mary II scheduled to call in Punta Arenas; Aquaculture courses; Torres del Paine park fire lasted 30 days.

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

  Rumsfeld arrives in Buenos Aires as part of LA tour.

  US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Buenos Aires yesterday evening and is spending around 24 hours here today as part of a Latin American tour. This morning, he is scheduled to meet with his counterpart, José Pampuro.

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

  Mercosur resumes EU talks; signs with India

  Mercosur and European Union negotiators resumed Monday in Brussels discussions with the purpose of reaching a much delayed free trade agreement between the two blocks. Meantime in New Delhi a framework trade understanding was signed with India.

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

  Lan Chile purchases Argentine airline.

  Lan Chile reported Monday that it had agreed conditions for the acquisition of Aero 2000 in Argentina, which will enable the Chilean flag carrier to consolidate operations in South America.

• Monday, March 21st 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Pinochet's son says ex-general had up to $11 mn

  Marco Antonio Pinochet Hiriart, younger son of former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet, said in an interview published Sunday by the Chilean press that his father had between $8.5 million and $11 million in bank accounts in the United States