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Argentine president insists farmers call off protest

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez refused to back down from her demand that Argentine farmers lift a nationwide strike, deepening a bitter crisis over tax hikes on export crops.

In a nationally televised address on Thursday, Fernandez angrily rebuffed calls by thousands of striking farmers to enter into talks, saying highway blockades that have cut off the flow of agricultural goods for more than two weeks are an attack on all Argentines.

"To hold a dialogue with a pistol pointed at the head is very difficult, above all in a democracy," Fernandez said. "This lockout is not against the government, but against the people."

Staring down angry farmers for the second time in two days in a public speech, she said "there can be no dialogue if the strike measures aren't lifted ... Lift the strike and we'll talk."

The farmers are chafing at a March 11 presidential decree that raised duties on soybean exports from 35 percent to 45 percent and slapped new taxes on other farm exports to stem rising inflation.

Earlier on Thursday, the four striking farm groups issued a statement indicating they were open to negotiating with the government and urged the president to yield ground in the standoff.

During Fernandez's speech, angry farmers at roadblocks nationwide wagged their fingers as if to say "no" to her demands.

They relit tire fires immediately afterward and vowed to continue the strike indefinitely -- despite growing shortages of beef, cooking oil, milk and other farm goods in stores nationwide.

Fernandez's speech "changes expectations," said Hugo Biolcati, a spokesman for the biggest striking farm group.

Leaders would meet to discuss the next steps, he said.

In Buenos Aires, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets for a third straight night, banging pots and pans in support of the farmers.
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