Mercosur

• Tuesday, April 23rd 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Duhalde ready to resign

  With barely a hundred days in office and a meager 14% public opinion support, while 49% of Argentines presumably want new elections, according to private polls, Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde said he was willing to move aside if Congress requested him.

• Tuesday, April 23rd 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile: “We can manage”

  In spite of a strong reaction in Santiago's currency markets to Argentina's decision to close banks and ban financial activities for the rest of the week, Chile “can live with the situation, if things don't get worse”, according to Mr. Carlos Massad, president of Chile's Central Bank.

• Friday, April 19th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur, 4 + 1 talks

  United States and Mercosur defined this week in Buenos Aires an agenda and working calendar to eliminate trade and investment obstacles and create conditions for a greater access to markets at both ends.

• Thursday, April 18th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Provinces on the spot light

  The International Monetary Fund, IMF, indicated this Wednesday in Buenos Aires that Argentina's access to financial aid depends largely on provincial government's budget adjustments.

• Thursday, April 18th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  “Symbolic signature”

  Discussions on the Political, Economic Association and Cooperation agreement between Chile and the European Union are expected to conclude soon, however a “symbolic signing” ceremony will take place in Madrid during the coming May Latinamerica-European Union summit.

• Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Oil exploration in Uruguay

  A French vessel began this week hydrocarbon exploration operations in Uruguay's continental shelf in the River Plate.

• Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF “blooper”

  The International Monetary Fund, IMF, was involved in a diplomatic “mishap” last week when it became the first multilateral institution in recognizing a Venezuelan government that lasted just over 24 hours.

• Tuesday, April 16th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile: Blame Congress

  In spite of progress in the last round of free trade talks between United States and Chile, held in Santiago, the lack of the Trade Promotion Authority, TPA, (the former “fast track”), is becoming a growing hurdle for a definitive agreement.

• Monday, April 15th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Plea for Argentina

  Mercosur Congressional representatives requested an “urgent definition” from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, regarding financial support for beleaguered Argentina.

• Sunday, April 14th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez Freed, Returns to Venezuela

  Hugo Chavez was freed by his military captors and returned to reclaim the Venezuelan presidency Sunday, in a dramatic restoration of power two days after the military said he had resigned.