Argentina-Compromise from State Governors in farm dispute.

ARGENTINA-SIGNS OF COMPROMISE FROM THE STATE GOVERNORS.

The governments of most soy-producing provinces would support the plan of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to create a Federal Solidarity Fund to share 30 percent of the soy export duties to be used for public works.

Santa Fe Governor Hermes Binner, who sided with the farmers since the beginning of the conflict with the government, yesterday said that he is going to join the measure. "Our position is to support the measure because it’s a way of compensating the deficit the provinces have today and the nation has to provide solutions to help provinces overcome this crisis," Binner said. However, the governor insisted on his proposal "to suspend soy export duties for 180 days, to recover trust."

Binner urged the province’s mayors, political leaders, businessmen and workers tomorrow, to analyze together with his Cabinet the presidential decree. Some mayors have already expressed their opposition to the national government’s measure.

Córdoba Governor Juan Schiaretti yesterday said he will not send the bill to support the presidential decree to the legislature until he meets with the farmers’ organizations liaison committee to discuss the use of the funds.

"It’s the farmers money, they have to give their opinion," the governor said. After meeting with the farmers to discuss what the money will be used for, he will send the bill supporting the measure to the provincial legislature.

Corrientes Governor Arturo Colombi said he is going to support the measure but will also express his discrepancies.

"The national government is seeking to confront the interests of the provinces with the interests of the farmers, whose demands we will continue backing," he said.

San Luis Governor Alberto Rodríguez Saá yesterday expressed his skepticism towards the measure, and said that he wants to know more about how the money will be distributed and "how much influence the national government will have over the funds."Entre Ríos Governor Sergio Urribarri and Misiones Governor Maurice Closs said they will back the measures announced by the President last week.

Mendoza’s government already sent the bill whereby they support the decree to the provincial legislature.