FHC says Iberian-Americans should help Argentina

15/11/2002 - 17h15

Bávaro (Dominican Republic), November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil – ABr) – President Fernando Henrique Cardoso said he hopes Iberian-American countries will help Argentina overcome its difficulties with international markets. He pointed out that the decision by Argentina not to pay part of its US$9.9 billion debt with the World Bank was not what it wanted to do, but what it had to do as there was no way to pay.

"I believe we should - as Brazil has always done - help Argentina. They have said clearly that they do not want to default, that the problem is they do not have any money. They are not refusing to pay, or saying they will not pay. They are searching for a way out of the problem," said Cardoso, adding that the International Monetary Fund "has not made it possible for recovery in Argentina." (AB)