Mercosur

• Sunday, July 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian minister optimistic about the economy.

  Brazil's Finance Minister expressed optimism about the country's economic growth potential in 2004, forecasting that the gross domestic product (GDP) could rise by 5% or more this year.

• Sunday, July 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuelan referendum heats up.

  The possibility that more polling stations will be set up in Venezuela because of large numbers of new voters became a new source of dispute between President Hugo Chavez's supporters and the opposition, a month before the August 15 recall referendum.

• Saturday, July 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner still strong with 63% support.

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner public opinion standing dropped another ten points during the last month but still remains one of the highest in the last twenty years with a 63% approval rating, 26% not convinced and 11% rejection.

• Friday, July 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  If Pinochet had secret accounts, we'll investigate.

  Chilean President Ricardo Lagos said Thursday that if there is proof former dictator Augusto Pinochet kept secret accounts in a Washington bank, then an investigation should be launched in Chile.

• Friday, July 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil president urged to act on Argentine quotas.

  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil, came under increasing domestic pressure on Wednesday to take a tough stance against trade restrictions that Argentina adopted last week on selected Brazilian products.

• Friday, July 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Protesters in Buenos Aires attack Legislature assembly building

  Leftist activists, street peddlers, transvestites and prostitutes attacked this capital's municipal assembly on Friday, throwing stones, firecrackers and tar bombs to stop lawmakers from discussing a new penal code.

• Friday, July 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine authorises shrimp fishing in territorial waters.

  The Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has authorised shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) fishing for two weeks, under surveillance in the Argentine Sea. The decision was adopted unanimously last Thursday and will come into force on Monday, 19 July.

• Thursday, July 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  “Social commotion” crimes increase 22,5% in Chile.

  Crimes of “greater social commotion” increased 22,5% during the first quarter of 2004 compared to the same period a year ago according to the latest release from the Chilean Ministry of Interior.

• Thursday, July 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela supports oil supply increase.

  Venezuela supports the 500,000 barrels per day increase OPEC promised to establish next month in an attempt to stabilize the volatile market.

• Thursday, July 15th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  UK, Mercosur's main ally in EU trade talks.

  The United Kingdom is Brazil's main ally in trade negotiations with the European Union, particularly regarding agriculture, said British Ambassador Roger Bone who leaves the country at the end of the month.