President Kirchner said that, with this payment, "we bury an ignominious past of eternal, infinite indebtment."

President Kirchner considered backing Saiz at the expense of his own party, though ultimately opted to play no role in the provincial election.

President Kirchner took office on May 25, 2003.

President Kirchner defended the policy as a cost saving maneuver, whereby government bonds paying out 15 percent interest would be retired from the market.

President Kirchner said governments had covered up facts, and that the decree established a mechanism for victims to receive compensation.

As of August 2006 there are two vacancies, which then President Kirchner stated she did not intend to fill.

President Kirchner was virtually unknown when he took office in May 2003 after having won less than a quarter of the popular vote.

President Kirchner then attempted to hand an envelope to the Prime Minister but he refused to accept it.

By taking on the provincial police, President Kirchner hopes to strengthen himself on two related fronts, government officials and public security experts said.

President Kirchner has expressed sympathy for the mortgage holders.