Weekly Report - 30 March 2004

The unexpectedly early arrival of a power shortage in Argentina has not only posed an extra threat to President Néstor Kirchner's domestic standing, but has also created disruption and unease in Argentina's two closest neighbours, Uruguay and Chile; the former facing a suspension of its electricity supply contract; the latter, the prospect that Argentina may reduce the exports of natural gas that fuel about a third of Chile's electricity supply.