Mercosur

• Saturday, November 20th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Pacific Rim free trade area “will have to wait”

  Chilean president Ricardo Lagos made a strong defence of multilateralism and multilateral organizations, and called for fairer rules in international trade during the opening day this Friday in Santiago of the APEC-CEO summit.

• Saturday, November 20th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  FTAA conditioned to US subsidies elimination.

  Mercosur said that there won't be any Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, “until the United States puts an end to subsidies”.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian industry protests interest rise.

  The Brazilian Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee decision to raise the basic Selic rate a full half point, to an annual 17,25%, the third consecutive increase this year, received severe criticism from industry's federations.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Possible “mad cow” case in the US.

  US Department of Agriculture admitted the possible existence of a “mad cow” case, which if confirmed would be the second this year. However DoA officials said a week was necessary before Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, BSE could be confirmed.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chileans can finally divorce.

  Roman Catholic Chile, and is spite of strong resistance from the Church, became this Thursday one of the last countries to grant married couples the right to divorce.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Sky's daily flights to Punta Arenas December 15.

  As of December 15 a third carrier, Sky Airlines will begin a daily flight to Punta Arenas from Santiago de Chile, announced Wednesday the company's Commercial Manager Sergio Briceño during a courtesy visit to the city's Mayor Jaime Jelincic.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Protestors ready to receive President Bush in Santiago.

  Protesters gathered this Thursday in downtown Santiago to read a statement repudiating US president George Bush' visit to Chile this Friday, but also anticipated that they are saving the best of their energies for when “the murderer actually steps on Chilean soil”.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Bombs against Buenos Aires city banks

  A security guard was killed and a policeman injured following bomb blasts against several bank branches in downtown Buenos Aires, mid morning Wednesday.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile plans free trade talks with Japan and China.

  Chile and Japan will begin feasibility studies with the purpose of reaching a free trade agreement, announced Wednesday Foreign Affairs minister Ignacio Walker after meeting with his Japanese counterpart Nobutaka Machimura in the framework of contacts previous to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum which is scheduled for this weekend.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Kirchner will visit Chile end of the month.

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner will finally be making a state visit to Chile next November 30, revealed Argentine Defence Minister Jose Pampuro.