Mercosur

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian President to Meet Castro in Cuba.

  President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will walk a diplomatic tightrope when he sees his old friend Fidel Castro later this week, trying not to antagonize Washington while balancing his role as a regional leader.

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez Believes He's a Terrorist Target.

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez demanded Wednesday that the United States crack down on Cuban and Venezuelan “terrorists” allegedly training in Florida to kill him.

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Meeting of the OPEC Conference.

  The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries oil cartel on Wednesday slashed 900,000 barrels a day from its production ceiling, signalling a new emphasis on reducing the inventories of the biggest consuming countries to keep prices above $25 a barrel.

• Wednesday, September 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur-China talks in Montevideo.

  Mercosur and China will be holding this Wednesday in Montevideo the fourth round of bilateral talks with the purpose of increasing integration and facilitating trade between the South American block and Asia's largest economy.

• Wednesday, September 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Cavallo blames the IMF for Argentine crisis.

  Former Argentine Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo said that International Monetary Fund, IMF, policies are to blame for Argentina's 2001 devaluation followed by the massive default of its foreign debt.

• Tuesday, September 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina begins dialogue with private creditors.

  Argentina proposed this Monday in Dubai a restructuring of its foreign debt of 94,3 billion US dollars that includes an average write off equivalent to 75% of the face value of defaulted bonds.

• Tuesday, September 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine-Chilean border integration.

  Argentine Ambassador in Chile, Carlos Abihaggle said Argentina will “invest heavily” to improve frontier passes and facilitate the circulation of residents from both countries.

• Tuesday, September 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “Complex” negotiations, but should be agreed by late 2004.

  Argentine authorities admitted the complexity of negotiations with private creditors holders of 94,3 billion US dollars in defaulted bonds, but also believes an understanding can be reached by late 2004.

• Tuesday, September 23rd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Euro Central Bank president confirmed.

  French born Jean-Claude Trichet is the next president of the European Bank following his approval by the European Union Congress.

• Monday, September 22nd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez “ousted before the end of 2003”

  Twice former Venezuelan president Carlos Andrés Pérez forecasted that current president Hugo Chávez will be ousted from office “this year”, and his ousting “will not be without violence”.