LONDON (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) March 19, 2001--In response to the political crisis in Argentina, Standard&Poor's today placed all its ratings on the Republic of Argentina on CreditWatch, with negative implications, except for the 'AAA' rated senior unsecured rating on Argentina's $250 million zero coupon bond series B, due next month, which has a rolling guarantee from the World Bank (see list below). The CreditWatch placement reflects the heightened risks to the government's economic program stemming from the current political crisis. The crisis erupted last Friday, when several officials of the ruling coalition resigned after Economy Minister Ricardo López Murphy announced new fiscal austerity measures. President Fernando De la Rúa is now looking to form a national unity
