Mercosur

• Sunday, January 25th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  “Thank you very much, but it's bilateral”

  The Chilean government discarded collaboration proposals from the United States Department for a negotiated understanding regarding Bolivia's maritime claim and insisted the issue is strictly bilateral.

• Saturday, January 24th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil President Unveils Cabinet Changes

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose roots are in the Marxist left, cemented on Friday his alliance with conservative allies by giving them two Cabinet posts in a government reshuffle.

• Saturday, January 24th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Three Indicted in Argentine Scandal

  Argentina's ex-spy chief and two former senators were indicted on bribery charges Friday in connection with a vote-buying scandal that has revived one of the country's most notorious corruption cases.

• Saturday, January 24th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile's Pinochet Hospitalized After Fall

  Former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet was hospitalized Friday after falling and breaking his shoulder.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Recruiting for peace keeping operations

  A top level delegation of Spanish and United States Defence officials is currently in Chile trying to convince the Chilean government of a greater participation in international peace keeping missions, among which Iraq.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  “My best enemy” recalls 1978 conflict

  Chilean movie director Alex Bowen will begin filming next February events recreating the 1978 atmosphere in Patagonia when Chile and Argentina almost went to war over disputes islands in the Beagle Channel to the south of Magellan Strait.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian basic rate remains unchanged at 16,5%

  Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Copom, decided this Wednesday in its monthly meeting to keep the basic reference interest rate unchanged at 16,5%.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Massive intoxication in Puerto Montt

  Chief Medical Officer of Chile's X. Region José Antonio Vergara called on the local population not to consumer shell fish or crustaceans live or cooked, until the causes of a massive intoxication can be determined.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Euro appreciation alarm is on

  A major appreciation of the Euro in world money markets could harm the European economy debilitating the still tepid domestic demand and endangering fiscal policy, according to the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development, OCDE.

• Friday, January 23rd 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Latinamerica set to grow 4% in 2004

  Latinamerica will expand a solid 4% during 2004, well ahead of the 1,5% of 2003, Interamerican Development Bank, IDB, Director General Enrique Iglesias said today in Spain during a forum of the region's economic prospects.