IMF Begins Debt Talks In Argentina

Recession-hit Argentina opened talks Wednesday with a team from the IMF, seeking relief from what President Alberto Fernandez says is an unsustainable foreign debt.

The delegation, led by Julie Kozack and Luis Cubeddu, arrived in Buenos Aires for a week-long visit as left-wing groups staged public protests to demand a suspension of debt payments.

The government hopes to renegotiate $195 billion of its $311 billion foreign debt, including a deeply unpopular $44 billion bailout loan from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund in 2018.

Argentina's crisis was sparked by a sudden crash in the pesos's value more than 18 months ago, a fall that continued last year.

The country became a market pariah after defaulting in 2001 on $100 billion in debt, something the Peronist Fernandez wants to avoid repeating.

The aim of the IMF mission to Latin America's third-biggest economy is to "continue the ongoing dialogue regarding the Argentine government's economic program and the country's economic perspectives," an IMF spokesperson in Washington told AFP.

"The mission will also be an opportunity to learn more about the authorities' strategy to approach Argentina's debt situation."

Fernandez insists Argentina cannot meet debt payments without economic growth, but the country's inflation rate is more than 50 percent -- one of the world's highest -- and there is mounting poverty and joblessness.

Economy Minister Martin Guzman presented his fiscal plan to Congress on Wednesday, lamenting that "the country faces a debt burden preventing it from avoiding a recession spiral."

The risk evaluation company Verisk Maplecroft said that "despite its statements that it wants to pay (its debt), so far the government has lacked clarity around key political decisions."

Both sides, the IMF and the government, have spoken positively about their exchanges.

"The change in leadership at the IMF has been refreshing in a certain way. Even though there is not yet a way forward, there is a growing mutual understanding," Guzman said before Congress, alluding to new IMF head Kristalina Georgieva.

"The IMF is showing a willingness because it wants to get paid and also in part because it contributed to this situation," economist Hector Rubini from Salvador University told AFP, referring to the original bailout loan agreed with former president Mauricio Macri for a record $57 billion.

When assuming power two months ago, Fernandez refused the additional $13 billion in disbursements, bringing the total loan to $44 billion.

Guzman questioned whether the loan's sustainability was considered before it was granted, saying both Argentina and the IMF bear "responsibility" for the current situation.

About 6,000 people demonstrated in front of Congress in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, shouting "IMF get out!"

"We don't want money to go to the IMF. We want it to be designated for a serious plan to help the poorest sectors," said Monica Sulle, one of the street protesters.

Fernandez's government has until March 31 to reach an agreement with its creditors before it will almost certainly be unable to meet its repayment obligations.

Former IMF official Claudio Loser told AFP: "There will be no direct restructuring with the IMF, World Bank, etc, but there are likely to be new loans that cover the obligations falling due."

It is estimated that Argentina will need to spend $34.3 billion in repayments and interest in 2020.

The country has yet to miss a debt payment but did postpone some bond repayments under Macri.

On Tuesday, Buenos Aires delayed the payment of another bond that was due later this week.

"This debt issue has to be resolved because either Argentina returns to growth or there will be another outbreak of social unrest," said Rubini.