Mercosur

• Wednesday, August 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Peruvian and Chilean armies cool situation.

  With the background of a growing diplomatic rift born out of border disputes going back to the XIX century, the Peruvian and Chilean armies have helped to cool the situation by committing themselves to “never again war between our countries”, although “history must never be forgotten”.

• Tuesday, August 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Ports and railways privatization in Brazil.

  Brazilian agro-business represents 33% of the country's exports which this year is estimated to reach 90 billion US dollars but is lacking in infrastructure, according to Brazilian Agriculture, Livestock and Supplies Minister Roberto Rodriguez.

• Tuesday, August 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  ENAP expands in Libya and Peru.

  Chile's government oil company ENAP has acquired Shell Peru assets and will be involved in hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation in Libya, was announced this Monday by company officials in Santiago.

• Tuesday, August 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez pledges reconciliation and oil market stability.

  The Organization of American States (OAS) and Carter Center officials endorsed this Monday the results of the Sunday recall referendum in Venezuela which confirmed President Hugo Chavez mandate until January 2007.

• Monday, August 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Bielsa cautions Chile on Malvinas issue.

  Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Rafael Bielsa said that being friendly with a certain country “does not mean you inherit his enemies” but Argentina can't “stand indifferent” if Chilean diplomats participate in the celebration “by an illegitimate government” of an Argentine defeat.

• Monday, August 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF non-complying waiver for Uruguay.

  The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last Friday announced the approval granting a waiver on a non-complying disbursement to Uruguay of SDR 93.2 million (about US$138 million), which had been made by the IMF following completion of the fourth review under the Stand-By Arrangement, on February 20, 2004.

• Monday, August 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Airlines dispute with out having taken off.

  Sky Airline, another air carrier that is planning to fly to Punta Arenas this coming season announced it will attempt to block Aerolíneas del Sur operations since this is not a Chilean company but a subsidiary from Aerolíneas Argentinas.

• Monday, August 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Extends Voting on Chavez Referendum into Second Day.

  Venezuela extended a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez into a second day, after a record turnout and malfunctioning ballot machines kept voters in line for as long as 10 hours.

• Monday, August 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez wins Venezuela referendum.

  President Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him, according to results Monday, while Venezuela's opposition swiftly claimed fraud.

• Sunday, August 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  “Leeds Castle”: Foreign Office complains to Chile.

  British Ambassador in Santiago Richard Wilkinson expressed the Foreign Office's disappointment to the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry for having denied Falklands based patrol vessel “HMS Leeds Castle” authorization to call into Punta Arenas, reported El Mercurio this weekend.