ARGENTINA: Old Enemy Inflation Returns With A Vengeance...And Official Denial; FM Timerman Claims U.S. Teaching Oppressive Tactics.

NYTIMES/ ALEXI BARRIONUEVO / 
Overview /

   Argentina's longtime enemy rapid inflation is soaring again.
   It rose by 25 to 30 percent in 2010, the highest level since the 2002 devaluation.
     But President Cristina Kirchner insists it is not a problem.
   Yet many independent economists and officials claim that the government’s national statistics agency has been grossly under-reporting inflation and poverty for four years.
     “People aren’t saving anything anymore,” said shopper Mercedes Fontao. “They are spending what they have and living for the moment, and going into heavy debt on cards to keep it going.”

AND: By MATT MOFFETT:  Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman has suggested that a U.S.-sponsored police-training program was teaching oppressive tactics to the Buenos Aires police force.
     It shows the growing tensions between President Cristina K. and Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, a rival candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
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