Paraguay to reverse support for Taiwan at U.N.

[Judi Lynn]

Paraguay to reverse support for Taiwan at U.N.
By Pedro Servin
ASSOCIATED PRESS

10:04 a.m. September 1, 2008

ASUNCION, Paraguay – Paraguay will reverse its historic support for Taiwan at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, and also is reconsidering its relations with communist regimes.

President Fernando Lugo said his government wants to maintain diplomatic relations with all countries of similar interests.

“Paraguay's foreign policy will be independent under my government and will not accept conditions,” Lugo said in a local television interview Sunday.

Paraguay, the last South American country to recognize Taiwan, has supported the island since 1957, voting every year in support of resolutions to admit Taiwan to the assembly. Nations that recognize Taiwan don't have diplomatic relations with communist China, which considers the island a renegade province.

More:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20080901-1004-paraguay-taiwan.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Govt, India Inc plan to farm land abroad (Paraguay is involved)

Govt, India Inc plan to farm land abroad
3 Sep, 2008, 1144 hrs IST,G Ganapathy Subramaniam, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Contributing their bit to the global Indian takeover, the government and India Inc plan to buy sizeable land abroad for cultivation. Seen as a long-term answer to keep prices of farm products under control, the grand plan envisages acquisition of large tracts of land in neighbouring countries like Myanmar and far off places like Paraguay. Canada and Australia are the other countries under consideration. The ministry of external affairs has suggested that purchase of land for cultivation should cover Africa, too.

Having discussed various proposals for overseas land acquisition at a top-level meeting, the government is also planning to revisit restrictions on investing abroad. Liberal rules would help Indian companies and public sector organisations to purchase land abroad for cultivation. The crop grown in these farms would then be shipped to India. The current focus is on pulses and oilseeds. Highly-placed sources said 10,000 hectares has already been identified in Paraguay, at $4,000 per hectare, for soyabean cultivation. Proposals have also come from Brazil and Argentina, where the price of farm land is around $6,000 per hectare.

The Solvent Extractors Association has identified land in Paraguay and has approached the Exim Bank for financing the deal. The acquisition in Paraguay is estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore. Interestingly, the move comes at a time when a major controversy is brewing over acquisition of farm land in the country for industrial development.

The government-run State Trading Corporation (STC) has also evinced interest in buying land overseas, the sources said. Oil companies are also exploring purchase of land in south America to produce raw material for ethanol. Officials involved think it is cheaper to buy huge tracts of land in south America or Africa. Apart from prices being high, they say, large tracts of land are not available in India, too.

More:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Agriculture/Govt_India_Inc_plan_to_farm_land_abroad/rssarticleshow/3438120.cms