The government has sought the support of the IMF to strengthen the defense in the process for the expropriation of YPF

WASHINGTON.- The government has asked for the support of

International Monetary Fund

(IMF) before the US Supreme Court of Justice to strengthen Argentina's defense in the millionaire lawsuit for the expropriation of

YPF

.

The Treasury Prosecutor, Bernardo Saravia Frías, said in an interview with
THE NATION in Washington that, with the concrete support of the Government of

Donald Trump

Argentina will seek to strengthen its position in the Supreme Court with the support of international organizations, Canada, at least two European countries, Spain and France, and other partners in the region, such as the United States. Brazil and Colombia. Saravia Frias met yesterday in Washington with the head of the IMF's legal department, Rhoda Weeks Brown.

Argentina faces a multi-billion dollar lawsuit in US courts
for the expropriation of YPF decreed by

Cristina Kirchner

.

The lawsuit was opened by Burford Capital, which bought the bankruptcy of two Spanish companies of the Eskenazi family and obtained the right to plead for the nationalization of the oil company.

The Eskenazi, owners of the Petersen group, managed to control 25% of YPF during Kirchnerism. The two Spanish subsidiaries were created to enter the oil company.

The dispute has reached the Supreme Court, which must make a decision.

Argentina contends that expropriation was a sovereign act and that it is therefore protected by a North American law recognizing the immunity of foreign states.

Burford, on the other hand, argues that the contractual dispute must continue in US courts.

"We go out under the water," said Saravia. "I can not say that there is a 99% chance that it will work, but I am optimistic and more and more optimistic because things are going to align." Argentina's new position in the world is helping. USA, help, "he added.

The government of

Mauricio Macri

Have Mexico and Chile already submitted their writings –
amicus curiae, in legal jargon – in favor of Argentina before the American justice.

Brazil, said the prosecutor, "is in the bag" and talks are also held with Colombia.

"I work with everything I have on hand," said the manager.

The national government aspires to achieve
amicus other countries and international creditor organizations of the country.

"The Fund is our partner, what interest do we have to pay $ 5,000 million while it has lent you so many thousands of dollars?" Said the Treasury's attorney.

Defense

The official strategy has two points. The "conjunctural strategy" asks the Court to rule in favor of Argentina. For this, Saravia seeks to strengthen international support, in addition to the Trump government.

Saravia plans to meet in the coming weeks representatives of the State Department and Attorney General, White House lawyer, Noel Francisco, in the Supreme Court.

The court asked for your opinion before making a decision. The government wants as favorable a presentation as possible for the country.

Lawyers and experts who follow the case believe that the opinion of the White House will have a limited influence. But Saravia has confidence in the chances of a favorable ruling as a litigation "that affects US foreign policy" and because the lower courts have proposed opposing positions, for and against, giving rise to a final interpretation of the Court.

If the highest court decides and the trial takes place in the United States, the government will use a judicial tool, the
discovery, go to the bottom and reveal all the actors involved.

Corruption

The Argentine government plans to fight in three countries: the United States, Spain and Argentina.

"It's a case of corruption that starts to get dirty and ends up being stained," Saravia said.

"Let's try to use the process of
discovery so that it opens and opens deep and we go to the root of the problem. This has a mirror cause in Argentina and a related cause in Spain. Three jurisdictions play and we will play them together, "said the prosecutor.

Saravia Frías said the Macri government would pay an unfavorable decision by the Supreme Court and a subsequent court decision requiring the government to pay its claim.

"It's honored, it's honorable, the debts must be honored, Argentina will never stop honoring them, and less at the international level," said the Argentine official.