Mercosur

• Monday, September 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina and IMF “very close”.

  Argentina is virtually “very close” to a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund, IMF and any “misunderstandings” are related to the fiscal surplus, public utility rates and bank compensations said cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez.

• Monday, September 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “Give Argentina a break” says US to IMF

  Argentina received crucial political support from the United States in its current negotiations with the IMF, less than 24 hours from the deadline for the repayment of 2,9 billion US dollars that could again bring the spectre of default unless an agreement is reached by mid day tomorrow.

• Sunday, September 7th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Hog FAM in northern Argentina.

  Brazil and Uruguay banned all meats and live animal imports from Argentina following the confirmation of an outbreak of foot and mouth, FAM, disease among hogs in the northern province of Salta close to be Bolivian border.

• Sunday, September 7th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Tied election prospect in Buenos Aires.

  With less than a week for Sunday September 14 crucial runoff election the two candidates for Mayor of the city of Buenos Aires are technically tied according to the latest poll published in the Argentine press.

• Saturday, September 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong rebound of the Chilean peso

  A record drop experienced the US dollar in Santiago's money markets with the exchange rate going from 700 to 680 pesos in just two weeks.

• Friday, September 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  A complicated election.

  Santa Fe province, Argentina's fourth strongest electoral circumscription is going to the polls this Sunday becoming another testing ground for President Nestor Kirchner and the ruling Justicialista party.

• Friday, September 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile, “a country of consensuses”.

  Chile is a country of consensus which has left behind the polarization of thirty years ago that led to the bloody military coup of September 11, 1973, although there are still some totalitarian enclaves, legacy of the Pinochet regime, said Chilean president Ricardo Lagos.

• Friday, September 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News.

  Headlines:
  Argentine August inflation flat
  Miserable erratic salaries.

• Friday, September 5th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  World Bank puts pressure on Argentina.

  The World Bank estimates the Argentine economy this year will expand 5% and to sustain that rate of growth will need new investments and consequently increase public utility rates and further advance in pending structural reforms.

• Thursday, September 4th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Bush signs free trade accords with Chile and Singapore

  U.S. President George W. Bush signed free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore Wednesday, saying that they would contribute to the economic growth of the three countries.