PARAGUAY: Economy...Led By Soybeans...BOOMED By 15.3%...In 2010.

M.PRESS

   Rapidly increasing agriculture prices helped Paraguay set a new growth record... 15.3% GDP in 2010...following a 3.8% contraction in 2009.
   “If the climate is good we can have an extraordinary performance which explains this year’s leap...We started 2010 with an estimate of 6%, later 9%, then 14% and now 15.3%, which anyhow we will review next month”, said an official.
    Paraguay is the world's No. 4 soybean exporter and important beef seller.
    Its central bank forecasts 2011 growth of... 4%.

PARAGUAY: "VEJA" Calls It A "Rich Beggar."

MERCO PRESS/           Brasil's influential weekly magazine "Veja," is calling neighboring Paraguay a “rich beggar." "Veja" likens the nation to a man dressed as a beggar to ask for alms and pity, and claims that this also works in Latin American diplomacy. “Officially Paraguay’s per capita income is 2,300 USD, but the right figure is according to economist Enis Weber is 6,160 USD which puts the country four steps higher above Colombia and Peru in regional ranking." He claims that President Fernando Lugo (pictured) supports the distorted figures.                                                       

Human Trafficing Where Borders Converge--Iguazu Falls.

From GlobalPost.com

Paraguay Targets Argentina For Energy Debt Relief.

From MercoPress.

Paraguay wants to renegotiate the huge debt both countries share for building the Yacireta dam.

Brasil Reaches Agreement With Paraguay Over Power Fees.

From Bloomberg.

Anger In Paraguay Over Brasil's Low Electricity Payments.

From Bloomberg.

Paraguay resents a treaty with Brasil that bans it from selling excess power from its dam on the Parana river to other countries.

Paraguay estimates it could gain as much as $860 million dollars annually by such sales.

"Itaipu’s 1973 treaty, written by the dictators then in power in both countries, reflects the 'realpolitik of an ant staring up at an elephant,'" said a historian.

Two Employees Accuse Paraguay's French Ambassador of Slavery

Many broken promises and virtual slavery are alleged by two Paraguayan employees of that country's ambassador in Paris, France.

"A dog lives better in France than I did," says one of the complainants.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/france/090621/paraguay-embassy