Mercosur

• Thursday, April 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Fed and IMF anticipate higher US interest rates.

  Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said the United States economy is in vigorous expansion and at some point may need higher interest rates to keep inflation at bay. US interest rates stand at a half century record low of 1%.

• Thursday, April 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  EU top agriculture official visits Mercosur.

  European Union Agriculture Commissar Franz Fischler is scheduled in Brazil and Argentina this weekend to further advance in negotiations for the creation of a free trade association between Mercosur and the EU.

• Thursday, April 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivian natural gas for Argentina.

  Bolivia finally agreed to sell Argentina natural gas, although insisting that the fuel does not end in Chile, with which La Paz maintains a long-standing territorial dispute

• Wednesday, April 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur and EU closer to the October target.

  Mercosur and European Union representatives after two days of negotiations in Buenos Aires are closer to their objective and the signing of a free trade agreement next October has once again become feasible.

• Wednesday, April 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Warrant issued for former Argentine president.

  A Buenos Aires judge on Tuesday ordered the extradition of Carlos Menem, Argentina's flamboyant former president, from Chile after Mr Menem failed to appear in court.

• Tuesday, April 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine industry at full steam.

  Industrial production in Argentina increased 15,5% in March compared to a year ago, revealed this Monday the Argentine government, an indication that the full impact of the energy crisis is still to come.

• Tuesday, April 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile forecasted to grow 4,9%.

  Chile is forecasted to grow 4,9% in 2004 helped by bullish prices of copper, still the country's main export, and a greater dynamism from domestic demand. In the last quarter of 2003 the government had estimated growth for this year to reach between 4 and 5%.

• Tuesday, April 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Legislative “task group” to address energy crisis.

  Argentine and Chilean legislators created this Monday in Buenos Aires a “task group” to address the energy crisis that erupted following Argentina's unilateral natural gas provision reduction which already has meant an increase in Chilean electricity bills.

• Tuesday, April 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Lan Chile's “monopolistic practices” in the limelight.

  The Chilean National Airnavigation Association, ANACO, accused Lan Chile of “monopolistic practices” that impede the development of smaller airlines.

• Tuesday, April 20th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine: Multi-pronged anti-crime plan.

  In the midst of a troubling crime wave, the Argentine government on Monday launched a broad security plan which includes pushing for judicial, legislative and police reform to combat insecurity and corruption.