Argentina's President Says No Talks Until Striking Farmers End Protests

Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez has said she will not negotiate with striking farmers until they called off their protests over increased export taxes on agricultural commodities.

The nationwide farm and ranch strike, now in its third week, has led to severe food shortages in shops and has also paralyzed exports of soybeans, beef and wheat. The latest crisis was sparked by the government's decision to raises taxes on soybean exports from 35 percent to 45 percent and slap new taxes on other farm exports.

The president said in a televised address that she would not talk "with a pistol pointed at the head" and that there could be no dialogue if the strike measures aren't lifted.

"Lift the strike and we'll talk," she said, adding that the protests were directed "not against the government, but against the people".

Well in Cristina that's really going to have them quaking in their boots. Like most women, you can tell when she's lying, her lips move. And from where I'm standing "the people" seem to be behind the protests not against them.