Mercosur

• Sunday, March 17th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Political turmoil in Brazil

  Brazil's ruling coalition seems to be back in rail after a dispute over candidates for the coming October presidential election threatened government unity and had the left wing opposition hopeful comfortably leading the polls.

• Sunday, March 17th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  “Two demands short”

  In spite of official optimism and an encouraging release from the IMF mission that left Argentina after scrutinizing the country's economic policies, budget and accounts, aid from the multilateral organization still seems distant, maybe too distant a countdown for the Duhalde administration.

• Thursday, March 14th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Democracy loosing ground.

  Democracy and the degree of satisfaction with democracy is loosing ground in Latinamerica given the effects of the extended economic crisis in the area, according to an annual poll taken since 1995 by a Chilean Social Studies Group, Latinobarómetro

• Wednesday, March 13th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Montevideo, best city in the region.

  Montevideo is the second city in Latinamerica with the best quality of life according to William M. Mercer Consultant's annual ranking. Top of the list is San Juan, Puerto Rico.

• Wednesday, March 13th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine savers to ask visiting Defence Minister to intercede with

  Argentine bank customers whose savings are being withheld due to the restrictions on bank accounts imposed by former President Fernando De la Rua last December are to try to deliver a letter to British Secretary of State for Defence Geoffrey Hoon during his two day visit to Buenos Aires later this week.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  UK and Chile intensify ties.

  British Trade and Investment Secretary, Elizabeth Symond forecasted a significant increase in trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Chile in the coming years following a meeting in Santiago with president Ricardo Lagos.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile and Europe closer

  The ninth round of free trade talks between Chile and the European Union, held in Santiago, ended with a “substantial advance” and next April in Brussels should have the deal rapped up and ready to sign during the May Iberoamerican summit in Spain.

• Tuesday, March 12th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  “D” for dengue pandemic

  Brazil is mobilized against a dengue epidemic that stated in Rio do Janeiro and seems to be spreading to other areas of the country is spite of all efforts to combat the deadly mosquito responsible for the transmission of the disease.

• Monday, March 11th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Amnesty warns IMF

  Amnesty International requested the International Monetary Fund, IMF, delegation currently working in Buenos Aires to “ensure that its procedures are coherent with human rights rules”.

• Monday, March 11th 2002 - 21:00 UTC

  Duhalde to meet IMF Director

  In a attempt to force the pace of the current Argentina-IMF negotiations, president Eduardo Duhalde announced he has requested meeting IMF Director General, Horst Koheler and the World Bank president, James Wolfensohn.