State Visit of the
President
of the
Argentine Republic
His Excellency
Dr Carlos Saul Menem
1998 St:?pfember 14 - 16
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State Visit of the
President
of the
Argentine Republic
His Excellency
Dr Carlos Saul Menem
1998 September 14 - 16
Programme of Events
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MONDAY, 1998 SEPTEMBER 14
10:00p.m. Arrival of the President of the
Argentine Republic
His Excellency
Dr Carlos Saul Menem
at the Norman Manley
International Airport,
accompanied by daughter
Ms Zulema Maria Eva Menem
and Members of Delegation
Greeted on Board by:
Director of Protocol, Jamaica
Ambassador Madge Barrett and
the Ambassador of the
Argentine Republic
His Excellency Alfredo Alcorta
Greeted by:
The Prime Minister of Jamaica
The Right Honourable
Percival J. Patterson, QC, MP
Deputy Prime Minister and
the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade The
Honourable Seymour Mullings, MP
The Chief of Staff
Rear Admiral Peter Brady
The Commissioner of Police
Mr Francis Forbes
G)
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Non-Resident Ambassador of
Jamaica to the
Argentine Republic
Her Excellency Evadne Coye
Governor-General's Secretary
Mr Geoff Madden
Governor-General's Aide-de-Camp
Capt. Dillon Christopher Lobban
10:25p.m. Depart the Norman Manley
International Airport
for Le Meridien Jamaica
Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston
10:45p.m. Arrive Hotel
Prime Minister of Jamaica
accompanies President to
suite and takes leave.
TIJESDAY, 1998 SEPTEMBER 15
9:00 a.m.
9:10 a.m.
9:20 a.m.
Depart Hotel for National
Heroes Park
Arrive National Heroes Park
Floral Tribute
Depart National Heroes Park
for Jamaica House
0
9:40a.m.
10:45a.m.
11:30 a.m.
11:50 a.m.
12:30p.m.
12:40p.m.
1:00p.m.
2:55p.m.
Arrive Jamaica House
• First Talks
• Exchange of Gifts
Depart Jamaica House for Hotel
Courtesy Call by the Leader
of the Opposition, the Right
Honourable Edward Seaga,
PC,MP at the Hotel
End of Courtesy Call
Depart Hotel for Vale Royal
Arrive Vale Royal
Lunch
Hosted by the
Prime Minister
• Toast by the
Prime Minister
• Reply by the President
Depart Vale Royal for
Jamaica House
G)
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3:00p.m.
4:00p.m.
4:l0p.m.
7:00p.m.
7:l0p.m.
7:30p.m.
Arrive Jamaica House
• Signing of Agreements by
Foreign Ministers
• Issuing of Communique
• Press Conference
Depart Jamaica House for
Hotel
Arrive Hotel
Private Time
Depart Hotel for
King's House
Arrive King's House
Courtesy Call
on their Excellencies, The
Governor-General of Jamaica,
the Most Honourable
Sir Howard Cooke,
ON, GCMG, GCVO,CD and
Lady Cooke
• Exchange of Gifts
State Reception
• Introductions
• Performance by the
Humming Bird Steel Band
0
9:00p.m.
9:l0p.m.
Depart Reception for Hotel
Arrive Hotel
Private Dinner
. WEDNESDAY, 1998 SEPTEMBER 16
7:30 -9:00 a.m.
9:30a.m.
3:00p.m.
3:25p.m.
4:00p.m.
Private Sector Breakfast
Meeting at Le Meridien
Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
chaired by the Ministers of
Industry and Investment and
Commerce and Technology in
association with the Jamaica
Chamber of Commerce
Private Time
Depart Hotel for the
Norman Manley
International Airport
Arrive the Norman Manley
International Airport
Farewell Ceremony
"Wheels Up"
G)
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ms EXCELLENCY DR. CARLOS SAUL MENEM
IL.s Excellency Dr. Carlos Saul Men em, President of the
Argentine Republic was born in Anillaco, province of La
Rioja on July 2, 1935, the son of Saul and Monive Menem,
immigrants of Syrian origin.
In 1956 he joined the Peronist Movement. This Move·
ment was formed by Juan Domingo Peron in the 1940s.,
with the labour movement as its main electoral basis and
its party bearing the name the "Justicialista" Party.
President Menem obtained a law degree from the
National University of Cordoba in 1958, and began a
career as a trade union lawyer in the north-western city
of La Rioja.
Also in 1958 he performed the duties of Legal Advisor of
the Confederacion General del Trabajo (General Confederation
of Labour) (GCT).
He was nominated President of the Justicialist Party of
the province of La Rioja in 1963.
Between 1966 and 1973 he held the position of President
of the College of Attorneys of the province of La
Rioja, after which he was elected Governor of that province.
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In 1976, widespread strike action and dissension among
industrial workers resulted in a military junta (coup),
overthrowing the government. Following the coup, President
Men em was jailed for five years, and deprived of his
civil and political rights.
However, he regained his governorship in 1983, winning
the election with 57 per cent of the electorate vote. As
Governor he expanded the size of government, gave
favourable ta~ breaks to businesses and pursued other
positive policies.
On July 9, 1988 President Menem was victorious at the
party by-elections, with 54 per cent of the vote, and became
a candidate for the presidency.
In May 1989, he won 47.2 per cent of the votes and virtually
became the President Elect, taking office on June 22.
As President, he has controlled hyperinflation which
plagued the country for many years; modernized the
economy; restored prosperity; and dramatically changed
a nationalistic foreign policy stance.
ARGENTINA
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ARGENTINA-THE NATION AND ITS PEOPLE
The Argentine Republic is a part of South America, east
of the Andes. It has a long Atlantic coastline stretching
from Uruguay and the River Plate to Tierra del Fuego.
To the west lie Chile and the Andes Mountains, while to
the north are Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. The total
length of the country is over 2,400 miles (from north to
south). It is roughly one third the size of the United
States of America.
Population
According to the last census (November 1991), the population
is 32, 608, 687 with an average annual growth rate
for the last decade of 1.2 per cent.
Buenos Aires, the capital, has a population of 2, 780, 092.
Climate
The climate is cold, dry and windy in the south
(Patagonia); hot and tropical in the northeast (Chaco)
and mild and fertile in the centre (Pampas).
Economy
Argentina has a varied economy, with products ranging
from consumption goods to ships, locomotives, cars and
nuclear power reactors.
The agricultural sector is essential to the economy. The
main crops are wheat, corn and soybeans. The mild di-mate
is conducive to the growth of grains -wheat, com!!
barley, oats, rye, sorghum (cereal grass) and fruits -
grapes, peaches and apples. In 1995 this sector contributed
6 per cent of GDP and employed an estimated 10.8
per cent of the labour force.
Cattle-breeding and sheep rearing are popular activities
in specific areas.
Major industrial activities include steel mills, petrochemi~
cal plants, factories which manufacture trains, sn1aH
aeroplanes, automobiles, tractors and other machinerJ~
The computer industry is developing.
Argentina has substantial deposits of petroleum and natural
gas, as well as steam coal and lignite. Oil production
covers domestic needs, but exports are minor. Natural
gas production is abundant.
Tourism also plays an important role in the economy.
Government
Argentina, which was formerly under Spanish rule,
became independent on July 9, 1816. It is divided into
24 provinces, each with an elected governor.
The president and vice president are elected for a sb:year
term, through an electoral college.
The Federal Congress has two houses: the "Camara de
Diputados" (House of Representatives) and the Senate.
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The Judiciary is an independent branch of gove1nment,
both at the federal and provincial levels.
The three main political parties are: the Union Civica
Radical (UCR); the "Justicialista" Party (Peronism), and
the Union del Centro Democratico (Conservative Party).
Defence
The total strength of the regular armed forces at August
1997 was estimated at 73,000, comprising a 41,000-
strong army with a further 375, 000 trained reservists, a
20,000-strongnavy and an air force ofl2,000 men. There
are also paramilitary forces numbering 31,240 men.
Education
Education from pre-school to university is available free
of cost. It is compulsory for all children at primary level,
between the ages of sL~ and 14 years.
Secondary education lasts for between five and seven
years, depending on the programme selected. Nonuniversity
higner education, usually leading to a teaching
qualification, lasts for three or four years, while university
courses are for four years or more.
There are 3~ state universities and 48 private universities.
Language
The official language is Spanish, although English is
widely spoken, especially in the main resorts.
Currency
The monetary unit is the peso.
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JII
September 1998
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