MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Vazquez closer to the US meets President Bush

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez gave further signals Wednesday in Washington of his willingness to have closer links with United States.

Addressing the annual conference of the Council of Americas, under the auspices of the US State Department, Vazquez said Uruguay was interested in working with the US in harmonizing investment legislation and improving Uruguay's access to the goods and services markets.

"We're interested in improving our access to the US market with beef, diary produce, textiles and software, among other items", said President Vazquez who on Thursday is scheduled to meet with President George W. Bush in the White House.

Vázquez emphasized Uruguay's advantages to reach trade agreements, reliability and stability, plus the fact "there's no need to corrupt officials" to have investment projects advanced.

However, President Vazquez demanded similar "opportunities" for Uruguay so it can compete in equal conditions. "Competing in equal conditions is what we Uruguayans are efficient with".

Further on he called for "a fair economic liberalism, fair in all commerce aspects so hopefully economic and political liberalism can march together". "Uruguay is interested in investments, quality investments, which challenge our potential and are equally profitable for the country and for investors".

Vazquez didn't miss the opportunity to attack Mercosur "as it is now", saying that the regional bloc can't be "a corset" or a private club with "first class members and lesser category members".

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who followed President Vazquez on the podium was supportive of Uruguay's demands.

"I'm certain that the Uruguayan people have in you a future full of hope. And let me assure you that United States will be a crucial element in that task", said Ms Rice.

Argentine Ambassador in Washington Jose Bordon consulted by the Argentine media said that the bilateral trade negotiations between Uruguay and United States "are geared towards an investments agreement" and not a "free trade" agreement as has been announced.

"I didn't come across any rupture attitude towards Mercosur in my talks with the Uruguayan ambassador in Washington", said Jose Bordon.

President Vazquez also anticipated from Washington that the next full ministerial cabinet meeting will be held in the city of Fray Bentos next May 25, together with the presence of all mayors from the 19 counties which make up Uruguay.

Fray Bentos is where the controversial pulp mills are being built and which Argentina disputes arguing they will contaminate the jointly shared and managed border river Uruguay.

However May 25 is a special day in Argentina's independence calendar and will also mark President Nestor Kirchner's three years in office.

Besides on that day President Kirchner supporters have organized a massive rally in Plaza de Mayo, across form Government House, Casa Rosada, which is expected to attract 250.000 people. For the occasion Plaza Mayo has been re-baptized the Plaza of Joy and Hope.

In Fray Bentos it will also be a day of hope for Uruguay: "we will not be moved, ahead with the pulp mills", is the rallying call of the local organizers in support of the ministerial cabinet meeting.