Argentina-The farm dispute.

ARGENTINA-THE FARM DISPUTE.

Argentine Rural Confederation (CRA) President Mario Llambías yesterday fired back at criticism made public by Civic Coalition leader Elisa Carrió, who chastised him for not running for Congress in a press conference, a few hours before announcing her own candidacy while playing guest at a cable TV news show.

Llambías portrayed Carrió as "a little bit arrogant" after she ironically asked the farmers’ leaders "not to say later that we haven’t offered them a place" in the coalition’s electoral ticket in Buenos Aires province. "In Argentina too many people just don’t put up a fight," Carrió added.

The farmers’ leader remarked that "we may run when we wish or are free to do it. She perfectly knew I have a mandate in CRA and that in no way I would leave my post. I’ve always been critical of those who abandon their functions to enter politics."

Llambías said that in late November the Civic Coalition approached him to raise the issue and that he pointed out that "I wouldn’t be able to run because my mandate in CRA lasts until October. One has civic duties that must be honoured."

Carrió’s remarks denote an attitude "a little bit arrogant," he went on, "by thinking that one person is waiting to receive a phone call and ready to do what someone else wants this person to do."

Meanwhile, Carrió last night made up her mind and abruptly announced in the middle of a TV interview that she will finally put up a fight, after a lot of tinkering with the issue of her candidacy (see editorial, page 10).

Initially, she sought an agreement with Buenos Aires City Lieutenant-Mayor Gabriela Michetti, whereby Carrió would have run for Congress and Michetti for the city’s Legislature.

When it became evident that Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri was against the move and wanted Michetti to be the head of the centre-right PRO’s congressional slate, the Civic Coalition leader stepped aside and put Alfonso Prat Gay, a former Central Bank head under presidents Eduardo Duhalde and Néstor Kirchner, at the top of the ticket. He is apparently not doing very well in opinion polls.

Now Carrió reportedly will run in the second slot, but political observers believe she could cast a long shadow over Prat Gay. Likewise, the make-up of the congressional slate would have to accommodate candidates of the Radical party, partners of the Civic Coalition in the City as well as Buenos Aires province, where Ricardo Alfonsín will run with Margarita Stolbizer in a joint slate.

Yesterday, Stolbizer told the press that "not only are we seeking parliamentary seats but also determined to become a real alternative" to the national government.