Mercosur

• Thursday, December 11th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “More liabilities than assets”

  President Néstor Kirchner yesterday marked 20 years since democracy was restored after the military dictatorship, describing Argentina's worst-ever economic crisis with a subdued euphemism, “liabilities outweigh assets.”

• Wednesday, December 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Strong public opinion support for Lula

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration approval rating stands at 41,9%, according to a public opinion poll released this week.

• Wednesday, December 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  The “give and take” game moves to Geneva

  The European Union members reached in Brussels a new “active and constructive” negotiation stand for the World Trade Organization, WTO, round that is scheduled to resume discussions next December 15 in Geneva.

• Wednesday, December 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Federal Funds rates remain at 1%

  The Unites States Federal Open Market Committee decided Tuesday December 9 to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 percent arguing that “with inflation quite low and resource use slack, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be maintained for a considerable period”. According to the official FOMC release:

• Wednesday, December 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina's fisheries “dissuasion” policy

  In coincidence with the South Atlantic fisheries talks scheduled to begin this Thursday in Buenos Aires, the Argentine government leaked to the local press that it has reinforced its fisheries patrolling policy with the purpose of “dissuading” the 300 jiggers operating in the high seas.

• Tuesday, December 9th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Toughened stance taken on authorisation of Korean factory vessels.

  The Chilean government has requested a report from Korean fishing authorities regarding the 80 vessels that were authorised to work opposite the Chilean coast, reported the Foreign Secretary, Soledad Alvear

• Tuesday, December 9th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Ailing dollar falls to record low.

  The dollar has fallen to a record new low against the euro, before Tuesday's interest rates decision in the US.

• Tuesday, December 9th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil's bank chief sees enduring growth cycle

  Following nearly a year of recession under the left-leaning government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil is entering a cycle of enduring economic growth, the central bank chief said on Monday.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile-Colombia increase cooperation

  Colombian president Alvaro Uribe begins this Monday a two days official visit to Chile during which he will sign several cooperation, security and trade agreements.

• Monday, December 8th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Turn the lights off and look for another job”

  Ronald Brown, president of the Chilean Association of Exporters warned that if the exchange rate in Chile drops to 500 pesos to the US dollar then, “turn the lights off and look for another job”.