
Bolivian president Evo Morales clearly took distance from Argentina’s expropriation of YPF, the Argentine affiliate of Spain’s Repsol which was announced on Monday and caused a major rift between Argentina and Spain and the European Commission.

Malvinas conflict next-of-kin commission sent a letter to the International Red Cross expressing their position regarding the request from President Cristina Fernandez for that organization to help with the identification of soldiers’ remains buried in the Falkland Islands Argentine cemetery.

The European Commission called off a meeting with officials in Argentina after President Cristina Fernández revealed plans to expropriate 51% of YPF from its mother corporation Spain’s Repsol.

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has left its base on the Rock to take up ceremonial duties in London. It is only the second time that the regiment has performed public duties in London taking over from the Coldstream Guards at the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday 16 April.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Minister a front bench spokesperson from the Labour Party and a representative from the Conservative Party will be among VIP guests at the June Falkland Islands 30th commemorations.

Mexican president Felipe Calderón and G-20 group head, said that Argentina’s plan to seize a majority stake in Repsol’s Argentine branch YPF is “very regrettable” and called on President Cristina Fernandez to reconsider and rectify the decision.

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez received late Monday the first international support for her announced takeover of YPF from the Spanish corporation Repsol: the Venezuelan government and President Hugo Chavez, revealed the Foreign Affairs ministry.

The Chilean government reacted with concern at the announcement by Argentina of a bill to expropriate 51% of the oil company YPF from Spain’s Repsol, since this will have a direct impact for Chile, said on Monday evening the Executive Secretary General Andres Chadwick.

Cooperation in energy development, closer economic ties including a free trade agreement and praise for Brazil’s economic and political leadership were some of the issues discussed by visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her first day of meetings with Brazilian officials.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Argentina will have to justify and assume the responsibilities of its decision regarding the YPF dispute between Argentina and Spain, but at the same time defended models that include competition and market access.