Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde has harshly criticized what he called "a campaign by speculators" to create economic uncertainty before currency trading resumes after a week's suspension.

Speaking Saturday on state-run radio, Mr. Duhalde denounced a campaign to boost dollar rates, saying it could generate insecurity and fears of hyperinflation -- as the country prepares to let its devalued peso float freely on currency markets Monday.

The Argentine leader urged citizens to pay no heed to speculators who want them, in his words, to buy dollars at any price.

Some economists in Argentina fear that without strong international support, the peso could lose value, sparking a new round of serious inflation. But Argentina's Central Bank chief, Mario Blejer, says he is optimistic the peso will stabilize in coming weeks.

On Tuesday, President Duhalde submitted to Congress a budget calling for spending cuts of more than three-billion dollars. Officials hope the new budget will convince the I-M-F to provide 15-billion-dollars in loans to help rebuild Argentina's economy. The I-M-F withheld a one-point-two-billion-dollar loan to Argentina in December, saying the country failed to control spending.

U.S. Treasury officials say Argentina needs to do more to address its economic problems before they will support a resumption of I-M-F loans.

Public anger at Argentina's economic crisis continues to simmer. Thousands of people gathered Saturday in central Buenos Aires to denounce the country's political leaders.

(reuters,afp,prev)

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