BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Some 100 Argentine protesters were detained after clashing with police during talks between the president and IMF leaders, La Nacion reported Wednesday.
At least four policemen were reportedly injured in the melee when protesters threw sticks and stones at them. Protesters were also seen burning piles of trash and tires in front of the Ministry of Economy.
In meetings with President Nestor Kirchner and Economic Minister Roberto Lavagna, IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato suggested Argentina set more money aside for debt payment, the newspaper reported.
However Kirchner said that was unlikely to happen, according to La Nacion.
Argentina defaulted on billions of dollars in loans following its economic collapse in December 2001.
Many Argentineans blame the IMF for the country's economic woes, saying the international lender's policies contributed to the nation's demise. The IMF published an internal report last month saying its policies may have contributed to Argentina's economic dilemma, which left millions of people impoverished and jobless.
