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. -News for Sun. 31 March & Mon. 01 April 2002


IMF, Argentina to Begin New Talks

VOA News
1 Apr 2002 11:04 UTC
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An International Monetary Fund team is due to arrive in Argentina Monday for fresh talks about a possible new financial aid package. 

IMF officials say no agreement is expected during the two-week mission, but may pave the way for further aid from the international lending agency. 

IMF officials say, the mission will go to Buenos Aires in phases, with a technical team arriving first. Members of the IMF team are expected to hold discussions with representatives of Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde to clarify what steps his government needs to take to qualify for additional loans. 

In December, the IMF refused to clear a loan payment to Argentina worth more than $1 billion, saying the government failed to control spending.The IMF had said Argentina must craft a viable economic recovery plan to qualify for additional assistance. 

Argentina is looking for $20 billion in international aid to help revive its economy, now in its fourth year of recession. Continuing economic problems and more than 20 percent unemployment have sparked political crises and street riots that cost more than two dozen lives late last year and toppled Argentina's elected government. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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