MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mercosur's breaking news.

Naval exercises in the South Atlantic.

War vessels from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, United States and for the first time from France will begin this weekend the 41 st. edition of the annual Unitas naval exercises in the South Atlantic, mostly in Argentine waters close to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. "This is the first year that a multinational operational force will be participating in naval exercises in Argentine waters, helping to create a greater regional integration", reads the release from the Argentine Navy. Over twenty man-o-war, three submarines and aircrafts, plus observers from Italy, Germany, Peru, Spain, Portugal, South Africa and Canada, will be present in the several days long operation. The main exercise will consist in the confrontation of two groups in a sea-air theatre plus marine landings to capture beach heads. United States sponsored Unitas exercises are an annual routine for South American navies, and include three basic phases, Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean. The beginning of naval operations coincides with the visit to Argentina of US Deputy Secretary of Defence, Jacques Gansler. Reliable sources in Buenos Aires said the US visitor will be considering with Defence Minister Ricardo López-Murphy the possible delivery of US material and equipment for the Argentine Armed Forces.

Heavy losses

The United States and Canadian decision to suspend fresh and frozen beef purchases in Argentina following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the region, will generate losses of 50 million US dollars for the local industry. According to a report from the Argentine Chamber of Beef and Export Industry, the Nafta's (US, Canada and Mexico), three months preventive ban on Argentine beef sales has meant so far cancelling the shipment of 19.700 tons, equivalent to 45,5 million US dollars. This is the first appraisal of direct losses caused by the sanitary emergency in Argentina.US and Canada represent 30% of Argentina's fresh beef foreign sales.

Buenos Aires, Mercosur capital?

Recently elected Buenos Aires city Mayor Anibal Ibarra wants to turn the city into the financial and cultural capital of Mercosur with the financial assistance fr