Mercosur

• Friday, April 2nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  “Cautious optimism” about the region's future.

  “The storm is gone, recession is gone”, but the situation can't go further than a “cautious optimism”, warned Enrique Iglesias, president of the Interamerican Development Bank, IDB, during the closing ceremony of the bank's 45th annual assembly that was held this week in Lima, Peru.

• Friday, April 2nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Convicted “Maya V” crew leave Australia.

  Nearly all of the crew members arrested aboard the Uruguayan flagged longliner “Maya V” will leave Australia within 72 hours, a court was told today (April 1, 2002) in Perth, Western Australia.

• Thursday, April 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguayan economy forecasted to grow 9%

  The Uruguayan economy is poised to expand 9% in 2004 given the boom in exports and private investment announced Uruguayan Economy Minister Isaac Alfie during the annual assembly of the Interamerican Development Bank, IDB, in Lima.

• Thursday, April 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile-South Korea free trade agreement

  The free trade agreement between Chile and South Korea becomes effective this Thursday, meaning 87,2% of Chilean exports will have access with zero tariff.

• Thursday, April 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina rations natural gas supply to Chile

  Chilean Economy and Energy Minister Jorge Rodríguez confirmed in Santiago that beginning April 1, Argentina will ration the flow of natural gas, the country's main supplier.

• Wednesday, March 31st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina: “crisis manageable” and 220 volts restored

  With help from Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela the Argentine Electricity Wholesale Market Agency, Cammesa, ordered this Tuesday the resumption of 220 volts tension in the national grid, 24 hours after having decided a 5% drop, to 209 volts, to help confront the country's growing energy shortage.

• Wednesday, March 31st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Menem requests temporary residence in Chile

  Former Argentine president Carlos Menem confirmed he had applied for temporary residence in Chile but promised he will be visiting Argentina “very soon” to meet his grandson.

• Wednesday, March 31st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Malvinas Vigil in Tierra del Fuego with President Kirchner

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner will be present in the Malvinas War Veterans vigil that is annually commemorated in Rio Grande and Ushuaia on April1 and 2, was officially announced by Tierra del Fuego governor's office.

• Wednesday, March 31st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  President Lula's mounting troubles

  “My gentlemen, don't expect more from me more than from a president of the republic; I must honour the Constitution, I don't have God's powers, I'm no miracle maker”, remarked Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who has seen his personal standing and his administration's tumble in public opinion polls with mounting criticisms from political friends and foes.

• Tuesday, March 30th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina lowers tension to face energy crisis

  Argentina's Energy Secretariat ordered this Monday a 5% tension reduction in the supply of electricity, from 220 to 209 volts, the first attempt to save energy without having to resort to programmed blackouts.