In Argentina, thousands rally in support of president

[Judi Lynn]

In Argentina, thousands rally in support of president
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner urges farmers to end their strike over opposition to her plan to boost taxes on food exports. But they show no sign of relenting.
By Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:03 PM PDT, April 1, 2008

BUENOS AIRES -- Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators marched through downtown Tuesday in a show of support for an Argentine leadership facing a stiff challenge from rebellious rural growers.

But there was no sign late Tuesday that the farmers would lift roadblocks they had set up and resume shipments of beef and other foodstuffs. On strike for almost three weeks, they have vowed to continue their protest until at least today.

In the capital, union activists and others allied with the center-left government waved signs declaring "We are with Cristina" to proclaim their solidarity with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

The president addressed the assembled masses from a stage placed in the highly symbolic Plaza de Mayo, where Argentines for decades have come both to protest and to honor their leaders.

"Let the roads clear so Argentines can have access to food," Fernandez implored protesting farmers whose strike has led to supermarket shortages in one of the world's major food-producing nations.

More:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-farmers2apr02,1,5792792.story

[Judi Lynn]

1. Argentine masses cheer president in row with farmers

Argentine masses cheer president in row with farmers
Apr 1, 2008, 22:49 GMT

~snip~
Scores of thousands of people took to the historic Plaza de Mayo before the seat of the Argentine government, and several ministers and high government officials and provincial governors were seen in the stands.

'I want to thank the Argentine people for this crowd, which has not come to defend a political outburst or a sector. I am thankful for the presence of thousands and thousands of Argentines who have come to defend their country, the Argentine nation,' Fernandez said in a heated speech.

Fernandez demanded an end to the road blockades that have caused severe food shortages. Farmers are angry over the increase in the export tax of soy and sunflowers from 35 to 44 per cent, which the government says is necessary to keep more food in country and affordable for Argentines.

'In the name of the whole people, notice the harm you are doing,' she said in comments directed at the farmers.

The president said she had never seen 'so many offences and so many insults' poured on a democratically-elected government, and warned ominously that the farmers' protests represented 'the face of a past that wants to return.'

The reference was apparently to the 1976-83 military dictatorship that caused the death or disappearance of an estimated 30,000 people.

More:
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/americas/news/article_1397939.php/Argentine_masses_cheer_president_in_row_with_farmers