(6 Sep 1996) Spanish/Nat
Argentine President Carlos Menem says he will not be intimidated by resurgent trade unions from pursuing his economic austerity policies.
Menem accuses the opposition of mounting an alliance similar to one that fifty years ago toppled dictator Juan Domingo Peron, founder of Menem's Peronist party.
Menem gathered almost 300 ministers, sub-secretaries, government officials, legislators, province governors, and Peronist party leaders at his presidential residence Thursday.
The President defended his economic record and warned resurgent labour unions that he would not be intimidated by their threats of further strike action.
Menem, 66, has come under increasing fire in recent weeks from trade unions who held a general strike in August.
Another 36-hour walkout is planned for later this month to protest at government economic policy.
Menem accused the unions of showing little solidarity and not sitting down for constructive dialogue with the government.
But Union leaders said Thursday that the strike would go ahead regardless.
Menem also accused opposition parties who have called for a five-minute nation-wide blackout on September 12, of using tactics 'that once brought the country to the brink of ruin'.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
Criticism will not force us to backtrack - nor infamy, abuse, or slander. I don't believe that in Argentina, except for Peron, a president has been more slandered and abused than this one. They don't know what I am made of - I am strong. Continue your attacks, it does not matter, we will go on.
SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Menem, President of Argentina
Unemployment stands at 17 percent. Recent government austerity measures, such as cutting back family allowance benefits, have not pleased the unions and have also irked several Peronist legislators.
Menem's popularity is at its lowest level since he took office in 1989. He won re-election last year by a landslide on the strength of his economic record after four years of record growth and low inflation.
However, the economy has since failed to shrug off the effects of a year-long recession and this year's budget deficit has grown.
These factors led Menem to sack Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo in July. Cavallo is considered the chief architect of his successful reforms.
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