Mercosur

• Friday, May 9th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine front-runner says Mercosur comes before FTAA.

  The front-runner in Argentina's May 18 presidential run-off said here Thursday that he would give priority to strengthening the Mercosur trade bloc over efforts to establish the U.S.-sponsored Free Trade Area of the Americas

• Friday, May 9th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Negative April inflation in Chile.

  Consumer prices in Chile during April dropped 0,1%, the first negative index in 21 years according to the latest release from the Chilean Statistics Institute.
  The fall in fuel prices was the main impact in the index, which did not surprise market expectations and signals a relief from the previous two months when uncertainty over the Iraq crisis pushed the annual inflation to 4,5%.

• Friday, May 9th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Positive change of mood in US.

  A majority of Americans believes that the country's military victory in Iraq will help with the war on terrorism and expressed optimism about the economy's recovery, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.

• Friday, May 9th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner in Chile.

  Argentine presidential candidate and front runner for the coming May 18th run off Nestor Kirchner arrived Thursday evening in Chile, and will be meeting Chilean president Ricardo Lagos this Friday morning.

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  President Bush rewards allies.

  An optimistic United States Ambassador in Chile said that the Bush administration was waiting for the most appropriate political moment to send to Congress the US-Chile free trade agreement.

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  “We can't be seen as second rate republics”

  Argentine presidential candidate Nestor Kirchner who today will be visiting Brazil said that if elected he will work for a greater integration with Brazil and Chile and a strong Latinamerican “space”.

• Thursday, May 8th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine Leader Tries to Revive Campaign

  Former President Carlos Menem struggled Wednesday to reinvigorate his campaign for a third term, and a new poll showed him lagging far behind his rival in Argentina's May 18 presidential runoff.

• Wednesday, May 7th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News.

  Headlines:
  Ms.Krueger gladly surprised with Argentina; Uruguay to extradite accused terrorist to Egypt; Fed warns about US economy weakness; S unemployment grows for the third month.

• Tuesday, May 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine-Brazilian joint currency?

  Argentina and Brazil are considering the creation of Monetary Coordination Institute with the purpose of having a common currency, Argentine Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr. Martín Redrado made the announcement this Monday in Brasilia after holding talks with president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

• Tuesday, May 6th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner to visit Lula and Lagos.

  Argentine presidential candidate Nestor Kirchner this week will be visiting Brazil and Chile to hold private meetings with the presidents of both countries. The trip is seen as an exercise of international relations for Mr. Kirchner, an area in which he is considered inexperienced compared to his rival and former president Carlos Menem.