CFK: ‘The referendum was a parody’

Felipe Mar 13, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner rejected the referendum held at the Malvinas Islands, and assured it «was a parody,» during the presentation of the “Science, Technology and Innovation National Plan: Innovating Argentina 2020” at the Government House.

The Head of State compared the plebiscite held in Malvinas Islands with «a squatters consortium meeting,» who illegally live in the territory.

She assured that it looked like they were «deciding if they were going to occupy the building or not.»

Besides, she referred to the position of the US regarding the conflict. «We recognize a sovereignty conflict,» Obama’s administration stated and encouraged the dialogue between Argentina and the UK.

According to official information, the project seeks to consolidate strategic areas fostering “productive and inclusive innovation” through the expansion of the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation in order to increase economic competitiveness and improve quality of life for Argentineans.

Fuente: Buenos Aires Herald

«SINCERICIDIO» DE UN MINISTRO

Chiara Mar 8, 2013

El kirchnerismo le contesta a Arlía…
El senador provincial y dirigente allegado al vicegobernador Mariotto, Santiago Carreras, envió varios tweets dirigidos al ministro de Infraestructura, Alejandro Arlía y su comunicado «La Tecla miente». «No podemos perder tiempo en giladas», sostuvo el legislador K.

Luego del comunicado oficial (La Tecla miente), emitido por el ministerio de Infraestructura y que lleva la firma de su titular Alejandro Arlía; el senador provincial kirchnerista, Santiago Carreras, salió al cruce del mismo y le recomendó al funcionario de Brandsen que no pierda el tiempo en «giladas».

A través de Twiter, el alfil mariottista escribió: “Leo una solicitada del ministro @AARLIA desmintiendo ‘posibles’ acusaciones a la Presidenta CFK publicadas por @revistalatecla”, y agregó: “¿Sera una operación mediática? ¿O una nueva provocación del ministro @AARLIA? El proyecto nac de CFK se defiende con hechos y palabras”.

A los pocos minutos, en la misma dirección, manifestó que «aquello que se expresa en la intimidad o en los medios debe ser consecuente con el accionar político”.

“En tiempos de especulación politica, los ´dirigentes´ deben tener el rumbo mas claro que nadie… CFK es pueblo. CFK es inclusion…”, resaltó, y luego publicó que “CFK es amor. CFK es POLÍTICA CFK nunca sera una construcción mediática. CFK es militancia, convicción ideología, profundidad e historia”.

Ya entonado, el legislador kirchnerista siguió con sus críticas y sostuvo que “quienes defendemos y militamos todos los días por este proyecto político no podemos perder tiempo en giladas”.

“Nuestro único objetivo debe ser defender lo conquistado, profundizar el modelo e ir por todo lo que falte”, afirmó y añadió que “los verdaderos soldados de Perón inevitablemente seremos soldados de CFK”.

Para culminar, Santiago Carreras cerró: “No podemos hacer jueguito para la tribuna. De chico nunca me gustó la serie ALF”.

Por su parte, el Multimedios CNA, a cargo de la editorial de la Revista La Tecla, en virtud de ser un comunicado de carácter institucional emitido por el titular de la Cartera de Infraestructura Alejandro Arlia, procederá a responder el mismo a través de sus páginas de la próxima edición de la revista.
latecla.info

CFK pays last visit to Chavez’s funeral before returning home

Felipe Mar 8, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner decided to pay a last visit, at noon, to the Military Hospital in Caracas, where the remains of Hugo Chávez lies, to then return to Buenos Aires. Thus, the Argentine leader will not participate in the burial on Friday.

According to Ambito.com, last night the President told the Argentine delegation her decision to return to Argentina today.

Fernández plans to return to the Military Hospital’s chapel around noon to give a final goodbye to the Venezuelan leader. Thus, the official will not participate in the official funeral and burial scheduled for tomorrow.

Today it was confirmed that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be arriving in Caracas to be present at tomorrow’s burial.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK cancels activities, to travel to Venezuela for Chávez’s wake

Felipe Mar 6, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner cancelled her activities after being informed about the death of her Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chávez. She is expected to fly to Venezuela tomorrow morning.

An official spokeswoman was the one that told leaders and activists about the suspension of the rally the Head of State was going to hold this afternoon.

The president had scheduled video conferences with different provinces in a rally over scholar books that were given to public schools.
Fernández de Kirchner also cancelled a meeting she was going to hold with her Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff on Thursday at El Calafate to debate an economic agenda.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

Para CFK, 2003-2013 es «una década ganada»

Chiara Mar 1, 2013

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner inició su discurso a partir de las 12.35 en el recinto de la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación, remarcando que “este no es un discurso cualquiera”, resaltando que este año se cumplirán 30 años de democracia y 10 del kirchnerismo en el Gobierno.

En la apertura del 131° período de sesiones ordinarias del Congreso de la Nación, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner resaltó el valor de esta fecha, haciendo hincapié en que se cumplen 30 años de democracia y diez de gobierno kirchnerista.

De entrada, la presidenta aclaró que “este no es un año cualquiera”, destacando que en 2013 “se van a cumplir 30 años de la recuperación democrática de la República Argentina”.

“30 años de que los argentinos hemos recuperado el derecho a la vida, hemos recuperado la libertad y la soberanía popular”, remarcó. Destacó también que el próximo 25 de mayo “vamos a cumplir 10 años” del kirchnerismo en el Gobierno.

La presidenta de la Nación llegó al Congreso a las 12.25 y comenzó su discurso a las 12.35. Flanqueada por el vicepresidente de la Nación, Amado Boudou, y el titular de la Cámara baja, Julián Domínguez, la mandataria saludó a todas las fuerzas de democracia por los 30 años que se cumplen de democracia.

Marcó como “desarrollo” a la palabra que “más sintetiza estos diez años” y destacó a esta década como “el período de crecimiento económico más importante de la historia argentina”.

Se reúne la Asamblea Legislativa en el recinto de la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación a la espera del mensaje de la presidenta Cristina Fernández de Kirchner para la apertura del 131º período de sesiones ordinarias del Congreso.

“Se puede ganar una elección, pero se puede perder el Gobierno”, señaló la presidenta a continuación, destacando luego la cantidad de personas que se han incorporado al mercado laboral.

Hizo mucho hincapié en el área laboral, destacando que “se logró reducir un 67% a los desocupados”, llegando al 6,9% de desocupación. Puso énfasis también en resaltar los convenios colectivos refrendados, como así también que “el salario mínimo creció un mil trescientos treinta y ocho por ciento. Mídanlo con los índices que quieran, pero jamás habíamos tenido una recuperación tan importante”.
agenciacna.com

CFK abrirá este viernes el 131° período de sesiones del Congreso

Chiara Mar 1, 2013

La Presidente encabezará el acto con un discurso en el que dará cuenta del estado de su administración. Tal como ocurrió en años anteriores, se espera que realice anuncios de alto impacto.
Por segunda vez en su segundo mandato y por sexta vez consecutiva desde que asumió la primera magistratura en 2007, la presidente Cristina Fernández abrirá este viernes un nuevo período de sesiones ordinarias del Congreso de la Nación (el 131).

La Asamblea Legislativa, que reúne al pleno de las dos cámaras del Parlamento, fue convocada para las 12, según establece una disposición presidencial publicada el miércoles en el Boletín Oficial.

La agenda oficial de actividades establece que a las 11, el vicepresidente Amado Boudou y el presidente de la Cámara de Diputados, Julián Domínguez, abrirán la asamblea legislativa.

Unos 45 minutos después, la mandataria llegará en auto al Congreso, donde tendrá un recibimiento formal por parte de los legisladores de distintas comisiones, tras lo cual firmará el Libro de Honor del Congreso.

La Presidente expondrá su mensaje, el sexto desde que asumió en 2007, desde los micrófonos del sitio de la presidencia de la cámara de Diputados.

Varios gobernadores oficialistas aseguraron su presencia para el acto oficial, por lo cual en algunos distritos la apertura de sesiones se realizará por la tarde o a primera hora de la mañana.

Asimismo, según trascendió, Cristina recibió este jueves a funcionarios en la Casa Rosada con quienes repasó aspectos del discurso que pronunciar en el Congreso para la apertura del período ordinario de sesiones.

La Presidente podría aprovechar la apertura de sesiones para anunciar alguna medida de alto impacto, tal como hizo en los años anteriores. En esta oportunidad se espera que pueda presentar medidas vinculadas a su voluntad de avanzar con una «democratización de la Justicia».

Cristina hablará en un año que estará marcado por la elección de renovación parlamentaria, donde el oficialismo pondrá en juego las bancas obtenidas en 2009, cuando logró la menor cantidad de escaños desde 2003, y tras el triunfo contundente alcanzado en 2011, que le permitió en 2012 votar leyes clave para el Gobierno.

Desde que el oficialismo recuperó la mayoría parlamentaria en ambas cámaras, se aprobaron 104 leyes, superando ampliamente la producción legislativa del año anterior, cuando se sancionaron 79.

Entre las leyes clave aprobadas en este período se destacan el Presupuesto 2012, la recuperación de la petrolera YPF, la expropiación de la Compañía Sudamericana de Valores S.A. (ex Ciccone), la reglamentación del per saltum, la habilitación a jóvenes de 16 años para votar, el nuevo régimen de accidentes de trabajo y la reforma del mercado de capitales.
minutouno.com

CFK on Once train crash: ‘Judiciary will determine responsibilities’

Chiara Feb 22, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner today remembered the victims of the Once train crash today, as the first year anniversary of the incident which left 51 people dead ando ver 700 injured takes place on Friday.
“I know that the loss of a loved one is irreparable and irrecoverable, but there is the Judiciary to determine responsibilities,” she said as she led a ceremony to launch new digital television channel DeporTV.
“We want to send a caring hug to the families of the Once tragedy victims,” the president said a day after relatives of the deceased in the train crash accused the Government of pretending the accident never happened. “Life doesn’t return. A warm hug to all of them.”
Fernández de Kirchner then adressed Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo founder Estela Carlotto and asked her ‘how many years without justice, Estela?” and the human rights activist promptly answered “ 35.”
buenosairesherald.com

‘Gov’t officials fight to see who’s CFK’s biggest bootlicker,’ Moyano

Chiara Feb 21, 2013

The head of the anti-government CGT umbrella Labour Confederation, Hugo Moyano, came on stage today to strongly criticize the government but mainly Labour Minister Carlos Tomada, with whom he had crossed fire yesterday.
Thus, during a radio interview, the unionist said that Tomada “lives in a smelly cloud», and remarked that “there is a struggle among government officials to see who is the President’s biggest bootlicker.»
Yesterday, Moyano led a protest in front of the national government’s Labour Ministry offices in order to pressure the government to force logistics workers at Maxiconsumo wholesalers to change affiliations from the commerce labour union to his teamsters union.
Today, Moyano continued his bashing and added that “Tomada doesn’t even not know where he stands, he approved the agreement with logistics companies, and published in the Official Gazette and now he retracts. How can you believe this guy?»
During yesterday’s protest in front of the ministry, the CGT labour union boss threatened to prosecute Tomada for not fulfilling his duties as a public official.
Likewise, Moyano strongly denounced President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Tomada, accusing the president of “backstabbing” the workers and Tomada of being the “worst labour minister in history.”
“The government is annoyed with me, they hate me, but they also fear me a little”, Moyano pronounced.
He went on to remark that the government wanted to put him in jail, but he “didn’t care”. Moyano also slammed the government for “cosying up to businessmen” because they wanted to moderate their wage hike demands.
The Labour Minister said today to Vorterix FM radio, that the union leader acts by “personal ambition, plus he’s not even accompanied by the workers.»
Furthermore, Tomada indicated that Moyano “wants to cause fractures and generate clashes with the only purpose of taking his personal ambitions above the interests of workers. Yet, he is not even joined by workers. The Maxiconsumo workers are not following him in this conflict.”
buenosairesherald.com

Moyano accuses CFK of ‘betraying’ workers

Chiara Feb 20, 2013

Anti-government CGT labour union leader Hugo Moyano.
The head of the anti-government CGT labour union Hugo Moyano, spoke out this morning in front of the Labour Ministry, accusing the Kirchnerite government of ‘betraying’ the workforce.
«They hate me but the truth is that they’re also a bit scared of me.»
Hugo Moyano, made the statements on the steps of the Labour Ministry to where he and members of the teamsters union a march.

Earlier the labour union leader spoke out in reply to Carlos Tomada’s statements bashing the teamsters union’s nationwide blockade on wholesale supermarkets, and said that the government official was “the biggest traitor” in regard to the organization.
“There is a whole attitude toward our organization. We have to find ways to get through what is thrown our way. The only person I kneel before is God. We will not falter or flake!”
Moyano made the statements during an interview this morning with Mitre radio prior to the march.
Yesterday the teamsters union, led by Hugo Moyano’s CGT, continued to blockade wholesale supermarkets, blocking entrances and exits to 30 out of 32 Maxiconsumo stores nationwide, in a move designed to pressure the company into changing the union registration of its workforce into a union allied with Moyano.
buenosairesherald.com

CFK on Twitter: ‘What’s happening with the Argentine Judiciary?’

Felipe Feb 6, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner questioned today via Twitter some decisions of the Justice and wondered if «there is a single judge in Argentina willing to ensure equality before the law», while criticizing the decision of Córdoba’s Governor José Manuel de la Sota of closing multiple Open Digital Television antennas in the Mediterranean province.

In her personal account, the Head of State referred to the justice behaviour after De la Sota decided to close several ODT antennas in different parts of the province after saying they were a menace for the environment.

«I’m at the Presidential Residence reading newspapers. I see these pictures on Página 12 newspaper of transmit antennas in Cordoba, and there is one that belongs to Cablevision and Radio Mitre set just 70 meters away from those ODT antennas closed by the provincial government after submitting a court Injunction.»

In this context, the President asked: «Is not there a judge in Argentina to ensure the equality of all citizens before the law?”

Likewise, Fernández remarked that the closure of the antennas represents a violation of the freedom of press, plus questioned if “Isn’t there any protection for the rights of users and consumers to choose between pay TV, free TV or whatever they want?»

To end, Cristina wrote: «What’s happening with the justice in our country?»

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

Tuits de CFK: críticas a la prensa y “traducción libre” de Obama

Felipe Ene 31, 2013

Ya es una costumbre. La presidenta Cristina Kirchner usó ayer su Twitter para criticar a la prensa que no está alineada con su gestión. En diez minutos tuiteó quinces veces. Empezó citando un reportaje que su par norteamericano, Barack Obama, le dio a la revista “New Republic”. El estadounidense habló sobre las tensiones que existen entre su Gobierno y algunos medios: la Presidenta hizo una “traducción libre” de esos conceptos para cuestionar a Clarín y La Nación.

El primer tuit presidencial de ayer resume el estilo de micro-escritura que Cristina usa en la red social en la que los mensajes no pueden tener más de 140 caracteres. Mezcló palabras en inglés con críticas a los periodistas, así como si estuviera buscando expresar una ironía dicha en un tono coloquial: “Obama tiene razón. What? Revista ‘New Republic’. 2/2013. Where? USA, obvio. ‘Los medios modelan los debates y OBSTRUYEN LOS ACUERDOS (sic)”.

En su segundo tuit, la Presidenta aclaró sobre el primero que “la mayúscula es mía, las palabras de Obama”. No es así. El norteamericano no le dijo a “New Republic”, de forma literal, que los medios “obstruyen los acuerdos”, aunque sí usó conceptos similares a ese.

El quinto tuit presidencial expresa de forma directa la comparación que la mandataria buscó hacer entre su pelea con los medios con los dichos de Obama: “Sí! Interpela a un medio y a un periodista (por Obama). ¡Danger para la libertad de prensa! -titularía Clarín….”” (Ver más tuits aparte).

Después de eso, la Presidenta contó que Obama dijo que en Estados Unidos los medios suelen poner “barreras institucionales” cuando cuentan lo que pasa.

Paradoja: Cristina se enteró lo que piensa Obama sobre la prensa gracias a que el norteamericano dio una entrevista.

La Presidenta dedicó el final de su tira de tuits para desmentir una información del diario sobre el caso AMIA-Irán. Según ella, ese tema y otras informaciones e incluso errores reconocidos de la prensa nacional o mundial, como la foto falsa de Chávez publicada por el diario “El País”, son “una estrategia comunicacional” que usa “el dolor del prójimo” para “desgaste de un gobierno”.

Fuente: Clarìn

CFK: ‘Consumers should start defending themselves’

Felipe Ene 25, 2013

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner maintained today that customers and consumers “have to start to defend themselves,” during a ceremony at the Government House after she signed an agreement with governors for the construction of 17,000 new homes.

The president was leading a ceremony at the Government House before governors and ministers, holding video conferences with Campana, Mar del Plata and Rosario – official sources said.

“People should start to use their power as consumers, because if you don’t defend yourself, nobody is going to defend you,” the head of state added.

The head of state mentioned to businesses along the Atlantic coast, saying that they “have acclimatized prices” to fit the touristic season.

Fernández de Kirchner signed an agreement with governors from 14 provinces for the construction of 17,000 new homes.

“There is a 26 percent unemployment rate in Spain – something that should spark all of our attention.”

“We have to ground ourselves with an attitude that will allow us to achieve agreements with ease.

“We need to ensure agreements be signed without shouting, negativity and coming together” on solutions for the country, she added.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

Gov’t hires private plane for CFK due to fear of ‘vulture’ funds

Felipe Ene 8, 2013

The Tango-01 presidential plane.
The national government issued a statement in response to a recent piece published on the British tabloid “The Sun”, and assured that President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will fly in a private plane on her next tour to avoid a potential impounding of the official presidential plane by vulture funds.
In a written statement signed by the Presidential spokesman, Oscar Parrilli, the Government explains that “they were presented with six offers, all of them of very similar value, and decided to hire Chapman Freeborn, a British company operating from the Gatwick Airport in England, because it was the most convenient from an operational, economic and financial point of view.”
The company had already been hired in the past by the Presidential office in 2010 and 2011 for the President’s travels to Guyana, Madrid, Paris, Barcelona and Cannes.
In the same statement, Parrilli details that “the total cost of the operation is $880,000 dollars, which includes all costs and expenditures of a trip to four different countries, and is close to 20 percent higher that the cost of using the Tango-01.”
The Sun had recently published a story detailing an “ultra secret arrangement” to hire a luxury plane from a British company for her tour to the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to begin next Sunday.
buenosairesherald.com

CFK urges Cameron to open Malvinas Islands sovereignty talks

Felipe Ene 3, 2013

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner urged British Prime Minister David Cameron to hand back the Malvinas Islands and “put and end to colonialism” in a letter which will be published in several British newspapers tomorrow, on the 180th anniversary of the day the UK took over the disputed archipelago.

The Head of State stressed the fact that “Argentina was forcibly stripped of the Malvinas Islands, which are situated 14,000 km from London, in a blatant exercise 19th century colonialism.”
“The Argentines on the islands were expelled by the Royal Navy and the UK subsequently began a population implantation process similar to that applied to other territories under colonial rule,” the letter recalls.
Fernández de Kirchner also urges Cameron to abide by resolutions adopted by the United Nations in 1965, calling for Argentina and the UK to negotiate a solution to the sovereign dispute.
Bilateral relations between Argentina and Great Britain have taken a hostile turn in the last years, with 2012 marking the 30th anniversary of the Malvinas war and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner speaking on the issue before the United Nation’s decolonization committee.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK: ARA Libertad to arrive in Mar del Plata on Jan 9

Felipe Dic 19, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announced that the ARA Libertad will arrive on January 9 to the port of Mar del Plata instead of reaching the city of Buenos Aires as it was originally expected.

“I instructed Defence Minister Arturo Puricelli to have the Frigate Libertad arrive on January 9 to the port of Mar del Plata instead of Buenos Aires,” she said from a ceremony at the Government House.

“It will be full of tourists and they will be able to visit it, so all Argentines going to Mar del Plata will see their Frigate Liberty, which is their liberty and the liberty of all Argentines,” she concluded.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK meets with Susana Trimarco at Gov’t House

Felipe Dic 18, 2012

Susana Trimarco met with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner tonight and showed her «support» to achieve the approval of the human trafficking law.

«The bill would have never been discussed if she hadn’t made some calls,» Trimarco, mother of Marita Verón who was abducted ten years ago by a human trafficking gang in Tucumán, warned after leaving the Government House, where she met the president.

The Lower House committees will debate tomorrow the human trafficking law bill, that will be discussed and probably approved on Wednesday.

Trimarco also told the press that the Head of State «was shocked» by the news about the acquittal of the 13 accused in the Marita Verón case.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK ratifies Argentina to pay $3.5 billion in GDP-bonds

Felipe Dic 14, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner assured that “against all foreign and domestic attempts” at stopping it, Argentina will pay on Friday $3.5 billion dollars in GDP-bonds, which represents the largest payment to private bondholders since 2001.

The President ratified the payment at a ceremony in the city of Benavidez, in the Buenos Aires province. She was joined by Governor Daniel Scioli and Tigre Mayor Sergio Massa.

“Against all foreign and domestic attempts” at stopping it, “we will pay the debt that we did not create,” she stated.

The payment had been announced earlier by Economy Minister Hernán Lorenzino during a press conference at the Ministry offices.

After the payment, which will be made effective by early Monday morning, the debt ratio with private creditors in foreign currency (dollars, Euros, yens) will only amount to 8.8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

‘There’s a clear divorce between society and the Judiciary,’ CFK on Verón case

Felipe Dic 13, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner took time to bash the Judiciary after yesterday’s shocking ruling on the Marita Verón case during the inauguration of an appliances factory in Northern Buenos Aires town of Campana.

“There’s an evident divorce between society and Justice in this country”, the Head of State started her attack to then add: “I couldn’t believe it when an assistant told me that all 13 suspects of the Marita Verón case were acquitted.”

Furthermore, and after the many public accusations of corruption involving the three judges of the case, Fernández said: “I have no proofs, but I’m certain and doubtless of one thing: when there’s money involved, Judges don’t care about anything.”

Thus, the Head of State completed the attack to the three judges (Alberto Piedrabuena, Emilio Herrera Molina, and Eduardo Romero Lascano,) that decided to acquit on all charges the suspects in the case regarding the kidnap and forced prostitution of Tucumán resident Marita Verón on April 3, 2002, plus the Judiciary power.

Revealing what seems to be her next crusade and most probably lit by the latest setback the government suffered on regards the Media Law and its personal battle against a media conglomerade, the president said: “It is time, and I hope everybody understands this, to start a democratization process of the Judiciary power since it seems to be the one that makes the final calls”, and added, «Take as example how they revise all my decrees.»

Verón’s mother, Susana Trimarco, has been searching for her daughter ever since that afternoon she went missing. After yesterday’s ruling she insisted that “the battle will go on. I am not going to stop; this is just like starting again.”

Trimarco has already told the press she will go for the impeachment of “these corrupted judges.”

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

‘They are trying to cause a technical default,’ CFK

Felipe Nov 20, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner referred to the recent rulings in a US court in favour favoring vulture funds and assured that “they are trying to cause a technical default.”

“We are in a world in which Argentina not paying its debts means good Business,” she said, and targeted the credit rating agencies, assuring they want the country to default.

She stated, however, that the country intends to pay the bondholders.

Fernández de Kirchner gave a long speech at the closing ceremony of the 60th Annual Convention of the Argentine Chamber of Construction in the downtown Sheraton hotel.

Source: Buenos AIres Herald

CFK back to work after suffering low blood pressure

Felipe Nov 1, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner returned to work today after suffering a bout of low blood pressure. The Head of State met with Deputy Economy Minister Axel Kicillof, YPF CEO Miguel Gallucio and with Trade Secretary Guillermo Moreno.

Yesterday, the president was ordered by doctors to take “24 hours bed rest” after suffering a bout of mild low blood pressure.

Fernández de Kirchner will lead a ceremony alongside Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo to announce the production od DNI identity card number 20.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK diagnosed with low blood pressure, cancels agenda

Felipe Oct 31, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was forced to cancel her agenda for 24 hours after doctors diagnosed her with low blood pressure.

«Today, the President of the Nation, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was diagnosed with low blood pressure and was recommended complete rest for 24 hours,» the presidential doctors informed in a communiqué.

The last time the president presented low blood pressure symptoms was last August when she had to suspend her agenda for two days.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK: ‘Romney is like those who say social plans are for lazy people’

Felipe Oct 25, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner harshly criticized US Republican candidate Mitt Romney and affirmed that she is «more alike» the current head of state, Democrat Barack Obama, who is running for reelection.

«We can see that the things a candidate says are like the ones that some say here about the social plans, that they are people who don’t want to work,» Fernández de Kirchner said referring to Romney.

«Our thoughts are similar to the current President’s ones,» she continued, as she added: «Romney is more conservative.»

The President announced during a rally at the Government House the construction of a gas pipeline that will run all along the southern area of Córdoba province.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

‘Youth vote gives democracy more sustainability,’ CFK

Felipe Oct 24, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner assured that giving youngsters between 16 and 18 years old the opportunity to vote gives democracy more sustainability because “the more people decide, better.”

Fernández de Kirchner made these comments as she led a ceremony at the Bicentennary Museum to commemorate the passing of the Sáenz Peña law, which established the universal, compulsory and secret vote.

The president of the Supreme Court, Ricardo Lorenzetti, who last week assured the judiciary branch «will not give in to the pressure of political or economic powers,» attended the event.

The President added that “the secret, compulsory vote undoubtedly was the stepping stone of all the conquests that came later. All of Argentina’s military coup d’etats beginning in 1930 had complicity of the society as well.”

“That is why the legacy of out great democratic leaders is that citizens choose in the polls who must represent them,» she concluded.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

Moyano to CFK: ‘Look ahead, don’t look in the rearview mirror’

Felipe Oct 18, 2012

CGT leader Hugo Moyano.
Dissident CGT leader Hugo Moyano assured that the Government “has nothing to do with Peronism” and warned that he will work “to restore the workers’ vote” as an alternative to the Kirchnerites in the next elections.
“When we have to decide with our votes who will be in charge of the fate of the country we can’t make the same mistake,” he said as he led the Loyalty Day ceremonies in front of the CGT headquarers. “We will restore the workers’ vote,” he stated.
Before thousands of unionists that gathered before the historic Azopardo street building, the teamster leader assured that “we can’t believe that this Government has anything to do with Peronism,” adding that “the Government is doing the opposite of everything Perón used to do.”
“Peronism is not vengeful, it looks ahead. Madam President, look ahead, don’t look in the rearview mirror,” he stated.
“Most people agree with the kind of Peronism we’re calling for and are tired of being afraid.”
buenosairesherald.com

Gov’t questions interim judges appointment system

Felipe Oct 16, 2012

Justice Minister Julio Alak communicated that the national government will ask the Supreme Court to review the Magistrates Council’s judge appointment system and declare null the current method used to designate interim judges, during a televised appearance.

“We’ve done several demands and showed our standing on this to the Supreme Court so they stop this irregular rotating appointment method, specially when it affects institutional cases”, Alak stated during the press address.

The comments came as the government sets things to approach what it has unfortunately called “the 7-D day” as it intends to compare the day when the Media law comes into full implementation including article 161 that forces media groups to get rid of extra licenses and downsize, to a military invasion. Not for nothing the government had called it “the mother of all battles.”

That day, according to a Supreme Court ruling, a Broadcast Media Act passed by Congress three years ago will enter full implementation mode, as an injunction filed by Grupo Clarín against an anti-trust clause will no longer be effective.

Alak’s statements took place as City Court number 1, which must rule on Clarín’s injunction on «unconstitutional grounds» regarding article 161, has not yet a confirmed new Judge in post.

Being the post vacant, the National Appeals Court had first appointed Judge Raúl Tettamanti as interim judge to rule on Clarín’s claim despite the fact he had retired. But Tettamanti resigned days after as he felt to be victim of «moral violence» and the attacks of Minister Alak, who accused the magistrate of being aligned with Clarín’s interests.

Thus, the National Appeals Court drew lots again and designated Judge Roberto Raúl Torti, a pick that also disatisfied the national government which has already transmitted its intention of appealing the decision as Torti is one of the many judges appointed during the last military dictatorship.

Tettamanti was accused by many government officials of being a judge hand-pointed by Clarín Media group with the backing of the opposition spectrum that doesn’t see a government’s clear intention of setting a more democratic media system but a maneuver that only seeks to chop into pieces anti-government media conglomerates in order to consolidate their own.

Any new judges must be designated by the Magistrates Council but the process has been stagnant due to differences between Kirchnerism and the opposition as both parties accuse each other of being lobbying to appoint a favorable judge.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK meets with Caló at Government House

Felipe Oct 10, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner met with the leader of the anti-Moyano CGT faction Antonio Caló at the Government House for over an hour. Caló made no request nor claims during the meeting.

Although Caló and fellow unionists had drawn up a document with all their claims, including the increase of the income tax floor and the debt the Government holds with health insurance companies, they did not hand it in to the President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

«What is good for the country is good for the workers,» Caló said according to Labour Minister Carlos Tomada.

Caló was officially anointed as the dissident CGT’s secretary general on October 3rd and this is the first meeting he holds with the President since his election.

CGT Joint secretary Andrés Rodríguez, union secretary Omar Viviani, Economy Minister Hernán Lorenzino and Labour Minister Carlos Tomada also take part of the meeting.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK’s harsh response to IMF: ‘Argentina will accept neither pressures nor threats’

Felipe Sep 26, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner used the first minutes of her speech before the UN General Assembly to harshly criticize the International Monetary Fund after Christine Lagarde’s warning on Monday. “Argentina will accept neither pressures nor threats,” she said in New York.

The Head of State spoke directly to the French leader of the organization and said: “This isn’t a football match. It’s the gravest economic and political crisis we’ve had since the 30s.”

On Monday, Lagarde had warned that the IMF would be forced to “pull a red card” if the country didn’t improve its statistics.

“My country is not a football team. It’s a sovereign nation that makes sovereign decisions, that will accept neither pressures nor threats, especially to the threat of a red card,” she added.

After her speech, the President was scheduled to meet the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon followed later by the Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, in what is expected to be Fernández de Kirchner’s only bilateral contact at the Assembly.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK announces increase in universal child allowance

Felipe Sep 13, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announced on Wednesday afternoon a 25.9 percent rise on the universal child allowance, going from $270 to $340 pesos.

The percentage is similar to the inflation rate considered by private consulting agencies.

Speaking again on a televised speech, the Head of State said the increase would signify a jump from $5.2 billion pesos to $29.3 billion in welfare resources and urged supermarkets not to increase prices anymore.

She also said the increase is comparable to spending a 2 percent of the GDP.

“We will ask all supermarkets and price negotiations who took part in all collective bargaining processes not to increase basic food products,” she said.

Fernández de Kirchner complained that every time the Government announces a price increase, supermarkets increase prices as well.

Fuente: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK ‘in good condition’ after low blood pressure bout

Felipe Ago 24, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is in “in a good health condition” after she cancelled all her official activities yesterday due to a low blood pressure bout, doctors informed today.

In a communiqué released by the Presidential Doctors’ Unit, doctors said the chief of state is “in good health condition” but is to remain in Olivos carrying out her agenda from the official residence.

According to the statement, signed by doctors Luis Buonomo and Marcelo Ballesteros, the president’s medical profile has improved since yesterday after “the diagnosis of a hypotension bout.”

Yesterday, a press release released by the presidential unit doctors said that the head of state “fainted” and that it had been “suggested” that she “suspend work activities and rest all day.”

Today’s communiqué puts an end to the speculation over Fernández de Kirchner’s participation at an event sponsored by national energy company YPF to unveil an «Argentine Exploration Plan» this evening at the country’s capital.

This is not the first time that Fernández de Kirchner, 59, has suffered a blackout due to low blood pressure (hypotension). The President has suffered similar ailments in January, April and October 2011, forcing her to postpone activities including a trip to Mexico.

In 2009, Fernández de Kirchner cancelled two official visits: to Cuba in January, and to South Korea in February. In her public return after the first clinical episode during her first term in office, Fernández de Kirchner explained that she is a “chronic hypotonic.”

On January 4, the President underwent a surgery for a suspected thyroid gland carcinoma, which was diagnosed as benign after the operation.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald

CFK asks companies and unions to be ‘more rational’

Felipe Ago 15, 2012

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner referred today to the latest union conflicts, and said there’s been always “clashes and discussions” between companies and their workers, and asked both parties to be “rational enough since they need each other in order to avoid collapsing, something we all experienced during the 2002 crisis.”

During simultaneous video conferences held from the Government House, the President hosted the inauguration of four new industrial projects including two shoes factory, a new line of John Deere tractors and harvesters assembled in Argentina, and a technological plant.

Earlier today, the Head of State had to cancel a visit to Granadero Baigorria in Santa Fe province, where the John Deere’s plant is located, due to the bad weather conditions that hit the centre region of the country.

Source: Buenos Aires Herald