CENTRAL AMERICA

CENTRAL AMERICAN ROUNDUP Panama's prez blasts U.S. media

(LATIN.NET) -- Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares has condemned the U.S. media for making "false insinuations" about two Panamanian ports awarded to a Hong Kong firm. "The negotiation and awarding (of the port operation contracts) was an independent decision of the Panamanian government, made with full honesty and transparency," he said. The two ports -- Balboa on the Pacific coast and Cristobal on the Atlantic -- will be run under 25-year operating contracts awarded to Hong Kong-based Hutchinson Ltd. last year.

The above articles appeared in Latin.Net, a weekly newsletter published by Dr. Chris Brogan that provides an analysis of key event's in Latin America. More information about the newsletter can be obtained at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/LatinNet/

Taiwan to sign free trade pact with C.A.

(LATIN.NET) -- Taiwan has unveiled plans to sign a free trade pact with Central America. The accord is expected to be signed in September and would include Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Taiwan is also planning to create an economic development fund to support the seven Central American countries in the pact.

The above articles appeared in Latin.Net, a weekly newsletter published by Dr. Chris Brogan that provides an analysis of key event's in Latin America. More information about the newsletter can be obtained at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/LatinNet/

ARENA loses majority in Salvadoran legislature

(LATIN.NET) -- Final election results show that neither the ruling party nor El Salvador's former guerrillas have gained an absolute majority in the 84-seat legislature.

The ruling Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) won 28 seats while the former guerrillas of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front captured 27. The National Conciliation party won 11 seats in El Salvador's single-house legislature, while the Christian Democrats won 10 seats. A smattering of smaller parties won between one and three seats.

At the municipal level, ARENA won control of 161 of the country's 262 municipal councils and mayorships. Nevertheless the FMLN also scored some impressive victories, winning the mayor's post in San Salvador and 47 other towns and cities.

Honduras This Week In Pictures

View Honduras through the camera of Eric Schwimmer.

The above articles appeared in Latin.Net, a weekly newsletter published by Dr. Chris Brogan that provides an analysis of key event's in Latin America. More information about the newsletter can be obtained at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/LatinNet/

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