In Argentina, work is in progress on preparations for the 1978 football World Cup.

SYNOPSIS: At the seaside resort city of Mel del Plata, about 250 miles (about 400 kilometres) south of the capital Buenos Aires, an existing stadium is being extensively re-built to increase its capacity from 22,000 seats to 45,000. It is one of six stadia being used for the World Cup matches. Two completely new ones are being built at Cordoba and Mendoza, while existing structures in Buenos Aires and Rosario are also being enlarged.

Despite uncertain political conditions and serious economic problems, Argentina is quite determined to make the 1978 World Cup a massive prestige operation. They see it as a means of attracting attention to the country and it is estimated that about half the world's population will watch the matches via satellite television transmissions. At present the Mar del Plata stadium is a little under half completed, but the Argentine World Cup authorities are adamant that it -- and the others -- will be in full working order by the time the matches start in the July.

Last week the President of the Argentine World Cup Committee, General Antonio Luis Merlo, visited the Mar del Plata stadium with some of his colleagues to inspect the progress of the work. Later General Merlo gave a press conference, and once again emphasised that the organisation of the World Cup is going ahead as scheduled.