[stop-imf] Chamber Calls for U.S. Solidarity with Argentina

Wed, 13 Feb 2002 11:18:45 -0800

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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Press Statement
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Chamber Calls for U.S. Solidarity with Argentina

WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Thomas J. Donohue called today for the United States to take a more
active role in finding solutions to Argentina's ongoing political and
economic crisis.

"The time for handouts has passed," said Donohue, "but the time for
solidarity is just beginning."

Donohue argued that the United States should use its influence at the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) to push for a roadmap showing a way
forward for Argentina's President Eduardo Duhalde.  The IMF must also
include a clearer indication of the conditions under which new financial
assistance will be forthcoming.

"No one is talking about just throwing money at the problem," emphasized
Donohue.  "But we need to help our Argentine friends find a way out of
the swamp they're in.

"The good news is that Argentina's financial crisis isn't spreading to
its neighbors," Donohue continued.  "The bad news is that it has become
a dangerous political crisis, with the risk of serious damage to the
country's democratic institutions rising every day.

"U.S. companies have invested over $18 billion in Argentina - we have a
stake in the stability of this country," Donohue said.

As Donohue pointed out, "the United States has a strong ally in
Argentina."  Argentina sent troops to the Gulf War in 1991-92, and the
country's foreign minister was in Washington on December 21 - the day
President Fernando de la Rúa resigned - to discuss the participation of
Argentina's armed forces in Operating Enduring Freedom.

"So the time is right for the United States to take a leadership role in
helping them resolve their problems," he added.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation
representing more than three million businesses and organizations of
every size, sector and region.

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For more information contact:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1615 H St., NW
Washington, DC 20062-2000
Media Relations Department
press@uschamber.com
(202) 463-5682
http://www.uschamber.com/press+room

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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Press Statement
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Chamber Calls for U.S. Solidarity
with Argentina
WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue called today for
the United States to take a more active role in finding solutions to Argentina's
ongoing political and economic crisis.
"The time for handouts has passed,"
said Donohue, "but the time for solidarity is just beginning."
Donohue argued that the United States
should use its influence at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to push
for a roadmap showing a way forward for Argentina's President Eduardo Duhalde.&nbsp;
The IMF must also include a clearer indication of the conditions under
which new financial assistance will be forthcoming.
"No one is talking about just throwing
money at the problem," emphasized Donohue.&nbsp; "But we need to help our
Argentine friends find a way out of the swamp they're in.
"The good news is that Argentina's
financial crisis isn't spreading to its neighbors," Donohue continued.&nbsp;
"The bad news is that it has become a dangerous political crisis, with
the risk of serious damage to the country's democratic institutions rising
every day.
"U.S. companies have invested over
$18 billion in Argentina - we have a stake in the stability of this country,"
Donohue said.
As Donohue pointed out, "the United
States has a strong ally in Argentina."&nbsp; Argentina sent troops to
the Gulf War in 1991-92, and the country's foreign minister was in Washington
on December 21 - the day President Fernando de la R&uacute;a resigned -
to discuss the participation of Argentina's armed forces in Operating Enduring
Freedom.
"So the time is right for the United
States to take a leadership role in helping them resolve their problems,"
he added.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the
world's largest business federation representing more than three million
businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.
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<p><br>
<p>For more information contact:
<br>U.S. Chamber of Commerce
<br>1615 H St., NW
<br>Washington, DC 20062-2000
<br>Media Relations Department
<br>press@uschamber.com
<br>(202) 463-5682
<br><A HREF="http://www.uschamber.com/press+room">http://www.uschamber.com/press+room</A>
<br>&nbsp;
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