Mercosur

• Wednesday, August 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  President Lula on the rise

  Popular support for Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration increased from 46,3 to 48,3% during August, compared to the previous month, according to a public opinion poll released this week.

• Wednesday, August 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Fujimori “the best president”.

  Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori currently exiled in Japan and is spite of the many charges he faces including killings and disappearances, is considered by a majority of Peruvians, the best of the five presidents the country has had since 1980.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru associate member of Mercosur

  Brazilian and Peruvian presidents signed this Monday in Lima a free trade agreement between Mercosur and Peru with the specific commitment of increasing continental integration.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  President Lagos questions IMF policies

  Chilean president Ricardo Lagos, who this week will be visiting Argentina, questioned the current policies of the IMF and World Bank, and suggested Latinamerican countries coordinate foreign policy, following the recent experience of Chile and Mexico during the Iraq crisis.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay's main agro-show opens Friday

  The 2003 edition of Uruguay's main agro-business show that opens next Friday promises to be a full success after four dismal years. A total of 1,366 animals from the country's prime cattle, sheep and horse breeds will be competing for the top prizes in Montevideo's Prado grounds.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “It's the economy, stupid”

  The phrase became famous in the early nineties when United States president George Bush Sr., the victorious commander of the allied troops that liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's occupation was running for a second term.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Last minute efforts to incorporate Peru

  Mercosur and Peruvian officials are working overtime in Lima, Peru, in a last minute attempt to reach a free trade agreement between Peru and Mercosur on time for the two days official visit of Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

• Monday, August 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Macri ahead in Buenos Aires, but fails to avoid runoff

  Preliminary voting results indicate that businessman and president of the famous Boca Juniors soccer club, Mauricio Macri, gained a 37 percent plurality in the Buenos Aires municipal elections Sunday, but he will still have to compete in a Sept. 14 runoff election.

• Sunday, August 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner's first test in the polls.

  The election this Sunday, August 24th, of Buenos Aires next mayor has become a strong test for Argentine president Nestor Kirchner who is openly supporting one of the candidates.

• Sunday, August 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Iran cuts economic relations with Argentina

  Iran has announced that it is cutting cultural and economic ties with Argentina following the arrest of its former Ambassador to Buenos Aires last week.