MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bachelet's first trip to Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil

Chile's future president Michele Bachelet will be visiting Uruguay next March 24 following an official invitation from the government of Socialist Tabaré Vazquez, confirmed diplomatic sources in Montevideo.

Ms. Bachelet the first woman elected president in the southern cone is scheduled to take office next March 11 in a ceremony that will be attended by President Vazquez, Uruguayan women ministers and at least twenty world leaders including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Ms Bachelet's first overseas trip will include Argentina and Brazil besides Uruguay.

The elected Chilean president is scheduled to arrive in Montevideo the evening of March 23 and will begin her official one day visit March 24.

Meantime in Washington the State Department confirmed that Condoleezza Rice will be present at Ms Bachelet's taking office ceremony before embarking on a Pacific tour that includes Peru, Indonesia and Australia.

Ms Rice "will be visiting Chile, Peru, Indonesia and Australia between March 10 and 18", said State Department spokesperson Adam Ereli.

"She will hold bilateral meetings in all countries to be visited. Obviously Ms Rice will be present at the taking office ceremony of Michele Bachelet in Chile", which was described as a "significant development for democracy in Chile and the continent".

In Peru Ms Rice is expected to finalize the free trade agreement reached between Peru and United States which still needs Congressional ratification in both countries.