On Tuesday Uruguayan President Jose Mujica said that the policy of integrating the economies of Asia and his country is a necessary “strategy for the future.” Read full article
screenname
The poor distribution of SA wealth is mainly because of the resources and lands belongs to the big companies and the oligarchs.
Integration with China is crucial, as integration with our dear neighbours.
Mujica is doing a great job in achieving both.
Pepe is spot on here. SA is a very rich continent but the lack of wealth distribution has nothing to do with big companies etc. It due to the history of corruption in all countries outside of Chile. Argentina is a prime example of this. It should be one of the world leading economies but due to corruption the majority of its population are poor.
Hands off
You are talking bullocks, if the Argentine state would be the owner of all Argentinas resources, Saudi Arabia would look like Paraguay in comparison...
4 Stevie . Could you please explain ,in simple polite language , what you have against Paraguay ? What has this country got to do with Mujica in China ?
It is sad that a country of 3.3 million people wedged between two countries that have a combined population of ~240 million thinks that integrating with countries on the other side of the planet is the future.
Also, as for “Uruguay is the last agricultural reserve of mankind” - what a load of bollocks. New Zealand is bigger, more pristine and closer to Asia.
As of the inequality in South America - purely the fault of government. These countries have had 2 centuries to get over their colonial past. Entire countries have come into being, experimented with different forms of governments and economics and then disappeared in that time.
6 I had , as I prepared to retire to my very comfortable bed ,to smile when I read your comment . One understands why many African countries still criticise their old imperial masters . After all they gained their independence in the 50's or 60's.
But for the countries in this area to sing the same sing is just stupid . Most have been independent fir more than two hundred years . One of the nice things about Paraguay is they do not keep on harping about the colonialist pass . Could be that the last Spanish Governor surrendered peacefully ! No Generals. ,no Admirals . Just a simple and happy new world .
What the British did in Australia during colonial times is accepted as our own actions for they became what we are today.
Nearly 50% of Australia's population was either born overseas or is the first generation to be born here. And yet it is accepted that 150 years of British colonial rule is as Australian as the 65 since independence.
If oligarchs and big business was the root cause of all South Americas's inequality, then how were the people so empowered to fight for their independence from Spain and then not able to do the same against the vested interests in their own countries.
Repeating a mantra to reimage history is the reason that Venezuela and Argentina are effectively oligarchies. Where is the outrage at that?
Baxter
I have nothing against Paraguay, it's yet another brother nation on the rise.
But that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the poorest nations in South America, with the most wicked distribution of wealth, main export being human beings and contraband.
Other than that it's a beautiful country full of great people.
9 you forgot soybean , meat and wood . In meat now passed Argentina in volume . In soybean amongst the big ones if you look at the figures . People will come back .
Love the way Stevie differentiates between China and any huge multinational, and does not seem to think national lawmakers actually run countries in SA.
12
Well, those oligarchs I've mentioned are the ones to blame for selling the country to the multinationals. One thing is to close deals that benefits the population, a whole other thing is to sell the resources in order to fill your own pockets.
So, yes, plenty of Uruguayans are to blame for our situation up until 2002, but we are dealing with them as we speak, and I fully trust Pepe to make deals that not only benefits the Chinese Companies (and others), but also the Uruguayan population.
8 Good point . But not sure about your historical figures . I understood that Canada , New Zealand and Australia became self governing in 1901 . Or the parties in 2001 were a figment of our imagination ?
With Europe, everything unites us, our history, our culture, traditions, affections, but if Europe keeps its doors closed towards Latin America, reality will force our nations to seek other alliances and other relations
No, three different countries with three different dates of independence.
Australia had 3 stages of independence. Federatiom, Statute of Westminster and Australia Act. 1901, 1943 and 1984 off top of my head. The point is the we don't absolve ourselves of any blame for actions before a certain point as is the case with colonial constructed countries in most of the Americas.
As for all this talk of oligarchs, Latin American oligarchs are mere amateurs compared to the current Chinese government.
”The net worth of the 70 richest delegates in China’s National People’s Congress, which opens its annual session on March 5, rose to 565.8 billion yuan ($89.8 billion) in 2011, a gain of $11.5 billion from 2010, according to figures from the Hurun Report, which tracks the country’s wealthy. That compares to the $7.5 billion net worth of all 660 top officials in the three branches of the U.S. government.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-26/china-s-billionaire-lawmakers-make-u-s-peers-look-like-paupers.html
The net worth of 70 unelected Chinese politicians is the same as the GDP of Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.
Uruguay's GDP of US$47 billion is chump change to these Chinese oligarchs when they had an average income of US$171 million each in a year.
That's obscene.
But I love how people swallow their morals when they attempt to point score.
11 Hands off .Paraguay, hot , humid and landlocked . True , but it is quite pleasant. We have now got past the horse drawn carts and use air conditioned cars . The old , lovely wooden shacks have , alas , gone . Now we have air conditioned houses , flats and high rise buildings . We even have an airport , wide avenues , hotels ( some five star to boot ) , restaurants ( not yet a Michelin star , but getting close ) . But , I agree , Montevideo is nice , my daughter lives there .
Oh , I almost forgot . Another plus for Paraguay , they still attend one with a smile. Not a snarl like in some other cities .
As somebody once said -- comparisons are odious .
Anglolatino
You need to keep up with Pepe, the deal is that the Chinese builds the railroads with Uruguayan labour, fair enough they make profit, but at least it's not on our behalf, it's not like our current railroads are making huge profits...
You fail to see reality, Pepe is offering food and, in the deep sea port, a direct link to China. Not only for the food from Uruguay.
On another note, the Chinese are to construct a canal in Nicaragua, as the one in Panamá, an Investment of some 40B dollars if I remember correctly.
You really need me to point out another dot in the route?
20 . Surely you mean rebuild the railways . They were built by the British so many, many years ago and now not used ! How can you say that they make a huge profit ? They , the railways , are dead . No profit for anybody . If you do not believe me visit the main station in Montevideo . A ghost !
Building a new deep sea port ? Why not start by improving the actual port ? Close to the sea and plenty of space for improvement .
How many more dots for Anglotino ?
22 have done ! I missed the it's not as if . Apologies , must be the humid heat getting me down ! I will also take advantage to remark on your comment 17 . He is right about closed doors . The main culprit being France which takes full advantage of the Common Agricultural Policy . Ofcourse that country is run by farmers , unions and students . The Government very well thank you .
In the UK we were lucky that the Bishops , in the eleventh century , started the two big universities far from London . I refer to Oxford and Cambridge . Unlike the Sorborne which is in the middle of Paris !
China is a self serving nation run by the communist party elite & has no intention of doing any favours for anybody. Most of it's projects in Africa are completed by it's own technicians & only the lowest paid manual labour goes to the locals
The old USSR tried to dominate the world through political interference & supporting puppet governments but eventually crumbled under it's own weight
China is trying to dominate the world through it's economic might relying on the greed of the capitalist system but will also crumble under it's own weight due to lack of infrastructure & out of control corruption
As for inequality in S.A. the old oligarchs & imperialists have been replaced a long time ago by a succesion of corrupt governments who are more interested in lining their own pockets than helping people out of poverty (especially Arg, Bra & Venez)
So take note Pepe, you are about to be dominated by the Chinese.......& btw not one mention of Mercosur!!!
@23 Your remark about France being run by 'farmers , unions and students' reminded me of something one of my French friends told me. On starting at her new job in Boston, USA, she introduced herself and finished by saying, 'Of course, I am French so expect me to be on strike 30% of the time'. : )
Whatever China might say at the time of any agreement they are renowned for bringing their own workers in on any project. What could Uruguay do about it? They cannot stand up to CFK so I doubt they would take on the Chinese.
I can see that having Uruguayo workers to construct the port would be nice but let us not lose sight of the real winner here: we end up with a deep sea port that the argies cannot mess with, a new spur from Ruta 9 to feed it from all over the country and Brasil as well.
The port will make far more money for the country than 3-5 years of workers ever would.
25 ElaineB . Glad you found the comment on France interesting . With regard to the Chinese in Uruguay I think you will find that they use local labour where possible . In the case of Uruguay , which has a very well qualified work force , they will only need to bring in supervisory staff. One hopes that these two vital projects are , eventually , completed for the good of Uruguay .
Baxter
The negotiation has already happened, the Chinese offered to do the railroads with Chinese workforce or Uruguayan one, the difference being the amount of time they could guarantee the Work to be done in.
Pepe chose the latter.
I don't think they have done the numbers yet, as the deal was (as good as) done with this last visit, Mujica is yet to come home. I'm sure he brings more news on the matter.
He made some deals in Spain with representants of the Grupo Santander (not the bank itself, but the funding companies) and the pattern repeats itself. Energy sector, tourism, infrastructure.
He is bringing more jobs to the country than than there are Uruguayans...
China and Turkey to finance the Deep sea port (not a done deal yet, although the state has bought almost all land around the planned spot).
German technology for eolic power in Florida and Artigas.
Railroads made by us with the help of the Chinese.
And taking into account all that food he had promised to export,nobody can blame the lack of opportunities.
It's up to us now, as it maybe always has been.
Nunca más aguantes que te disfracen la realidad,
así verás
que no hay que tenerle miedo a la libertad.
32 Stevie . Must change my opinion of President Mujica . If all you say is confirmed good for him . Uruguay certainly needs all this investment . Especially now that Argentina is going wild , on the economy , and Brazil is starting to feel the winds of stagflation .
While I'm all for Uruguay winning these deals, Stevie you aren't in Uruguay.
There is no home or ours or us. You aren't Uruguay by your own words you said you weren't. Until you say otherwise Mujica hasn't done anything for you, just a country that you have visited.
Your own words not mine. No one is forcing you to lie.
Anything that reduces Uruguay's dependence on the Argentine or Brazilian economies and governments whims is to be applauded.
Sounds like a perfect addition to the Pacific Alliance. Outward looking and trading.
Anglolatino
You really need to stop getting taken away with my nationality, it matters little to my arguments.
Mujica didn't stop there, he also talked about the necessity of Mercosur and the importance of Argentina and Brazil for Uruguay, mainly in culture and tourism.
In Mercosur, Uruguay always have had to find a niche in order to have anything to offer its big neighbours. And traditionally its has been that we buy their products and they give the money back as tourists.
We also have a worrying amount of Brazilians and Argentines as the owners of the most lucrative sectors of the Uruguayan market, but as long as they use the land to the benefit of the people, having environment in mind, I see no problem in it. The same goes for the Chinese. A railroad-building Chinese that makes profit is better than a non-Building Uruguayan oligarch that makes profit.
Pepe finally said that he would die before giving up the Latin American integration.
rylang
You are most kind, proper information is crucial for agreement and understanding. If we all choose to spread false misinformation or even true, but selective information, we will never reach a conclusion that serves us to prosper as human beings.
Again, thank you for your kind words.
37 rylang23
I appreciate your knowledge, the information you bring, and your even temperament..
Then I should try and shown an even temperament yourself if I were you.
I remember your little tantrum, do you?
@3 rylang23
“From now on that is how you will be perceived here. Nothing but a CIA troll. You will need to change you pseudonym now, but we will watch for you and call you out.”
BUT! What’s this? I did not change my tag AND I am still here!
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Windmills and photo-voltaic-cell nut-job, eh. But you don’t understand the whole life costs do you?
Still a leftie eh! Bit of a love fest with Steve going on here but don’t worry he is trying to make Anglotino jealous: some hope!
I really do appreciate your wit, Chris. Very sharp. But I've matured now, so you'll no longer see me flipping out at Monsatan. They are free to destroy any planet they choose. Even yours. And I do so appreciate a well played debate. Sometimes you actually score points with me. Very sharp.
Yes, a Leftie, (I might say Progressive Anarchist or some other ism. )and in my own unique way from a well reasoned perspective. As adults, we all can debate here (at MceroPress) the unfolding of what is happening around us. It's just that it is really hard for me to wrap my brain around conservative concepts most times, because they really do not make any sense to me. So, have patience with those of us who challenge you.
Still a leftie, yes Chris. Generations comes and generations goes, and still we are lefties.
Enjoy your stay in a leftie nation, I hope nobody is treating you badly.
You must be doing your best to avoid them, we are a clear majority after all...
It's sad really, you have an opinion of people without even knowing them, and as you say, they haven't treated you badly.
You dislike the ideology, which ever that may be, and with that, the persona.
And I repeat, we need your knowledge, not your prejudices...
I see where you are going with this but perhaps your extended leave from the country has 'left' you out in the cold (do you see the pun).
Being VERY careful not to influence people with my views I find that they are NOT indentured lefties and cannot wait to get rid of Pepe. They know Vasquez is coming back but it speaks volumes to think that a closet RC, rabid anti-abortionist, is preferred to a commie, if they are all 'lefties' as you claim.
I suppose being on the tourist coast and owning their own property (some of them more than one) has a lot to do with it. :o)
Chris
Vazquez is a socialist of the more liberal breed, only a commie in the USA. He is great to unite people, but we both know Pepe is far more efficient in getting things done.
Uruguay has historically never been in such a good state as it is today, and your friends are running out of excuses.
Chris..... I think you've met your match! But, I digress.....
Please explain why it is that politically conservative people come to socialist Uruguay? My opinion is that you all are here to enjoy a peaceful country not at war with anyone, and to exploit its resources for personal financial gain. How do you all justify that in your minds? Must make some of you crazy to have to lower yourselves to living with the benefits of socialism.
We were originally going to retire is South Australia because my wife is a chronic asthmatic and the dry air suited her better but the thought of very high temperatures in the summer (even the locals around Kadina claimed it was too hot) made us think again. The cut in our net wealth because of the cunt Brown (a Socialist moron) and the collapse in house prices and drop in interest rates conspired to drop us below the AUS $ 1.5M (plus if you really cost the medical fees into it) and the thought of being at the whim of the Socialists (as has been proven) finished it for us.
Kadina is on the 39th parallel as is Valparaiso and Montevideo. Valparaiso is on the rim of fire as we found out when we visited MVD in 2010 and the west side of the 39th had major problems. We loved Uruguay and the people, didn’t really care for the flavour of the politics but did appreciate the stability.
So UYU it was and no, you are wrong again to suggest we exploit UYU resources for personal financial gain. We do have nearly all our personal money invested with the government and we pay taxes on the receipts, as we pay taxes in the UK on our limited wealth there. So you could quite rightly say we pay for the benefits of socialism in UYU AND it does not make me crazy.
I have answered your questions now answer mine please. Why are you here? Do you work here? Do you pay taxes here? Are you going for citizenship?
@46 Stevie
I never claimed Vasquez was a commie, I know he is a Socialist and I know he takes no shit from TMBOA and The Dark Country. I just do not like him being manoeuvred by his RC wife into denying woman control over their own bodies, which is completely unacceptable to me.
I think Pepe being ‘guided’ by Lucy is enough meddling from the sidelines.
And why should my friends make excuses for NOT being commies????
Chris
So socialists aren't lefties in your book now?
Where do you draw the lines to make your statement coherent?
Your friends needs excuses as to why people shouldn't vote on the FA on next elections, and next again... Just as they are in badly need of excuses to explain why the poor shouldn't be fed...
You haven't said anything in reply to my real concerns, being as you are tied up with defending the indefensible: communism.
I cannot comment on 'The Poor' because I do not know enough about them other than this: they are very uneducated and that is NOT because all teachers are bad, far from it.
Try looking at the correctional school in Maldonado for starters, even the local Policia bulk at getting involved but at last they have a new management team and they are addressing the very considerable inactions by the previous ‘Principal’ which let everything go slide. You name it, it was not done!
Commies are a dying breed around the world and when the two twats in Cuba go that will be the end there as well. Pity they will likely go without the real send off they deserve.
Are there any real commies left in Uruguay outside of the unions and the agitators in MVD? I keep seeing vandalised buildings and even large areas of natural stone claiming some ‘power’ that they have but so far NO marches, NO flyers telling me to vote for them, I am sure you know the crack.
Read the messages on the walls, listen to the words of the Murga...
You clearly don't know anything about Uruguay other than it's a relatively cheap and tranquile place where the sun shines.
That is the main reason you don't vote in the first place...
Couldn't stomach the direction of the US. Voted for Obama in 2008, saw who he hired to handle the financial crisis in the days after his election, and determined that I had been had. I'm done with the US. Don't get me started.
Do you work here?
Not yet. Here less than a year. Have many ideas and am developing a few right now.
It is a problem but not as bad as it was in the UK. She has found the summers to be much better for her and it has taken two years for her to have a chesty cold whereas she was never free of them in the winter months in the UK.
We use a trio of James dehumidifiers in the house during the day and move them into the bedrooms for the last three hours. I was amazed at how much condensate come out of the air.
I have also sealed the doors and windows to cut down on the draughts.
Hope you manage to control your asthma,BUT it MUST be non-socialist air to count. :o)
Thanks ChrisR. I don't really get asthma as such but my lungs become inflamed and its hard to breathe etc. Most of the time we have just resorted to leaving Uruguay in the damp winters. I think a humidifier is a good idea but that will be pretty expensive considering the cost of power in Uruguay. Been to the doctor and they can't find anything wrong. Its just a reaction to cold damp air. I could stay in Uruguay and fight through this but Andorra looks like the perfect solution. The quality of life is higher and its actually cheaper :) I do like the summers in Uruguay though (especially Punta). Thanks again for the information.
As for solving an asthma issue, you really need to insulate your house.
Houses in Uruguay are seldom insulated, for the simple reason that it's not economically viable to do so in order to avoid 2 months humidity and cold.
On the positive side, a good insulation helps against the summer heat as well...
But hey, don't take me wrong here, Andorra is an exquisite destination... ;)
hey Stevie. I agree with the insulation etc but the conditions affect me from around March - November. Wish it was only 2 months of cold. Andorra is awesome and ironically cheaper than Uruguay. Hight expectations so lets hope it works out.
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesPresident Mujica: Uruguay is on “a very rich continent, albeit the most unjust on earth -because of the way its riches are distributed.”
May 28th, 2013 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So whose govenance in South America does he actually think should be changed? Brazil? Argentina? Ecuador maybe?
Meanwhile he seems quite keen on letting China rape his country to feed its industry.
Insults his neighbours on the international stage and bends over to a nation that wants to be anything but partners.
screenname
May 28th, 2013 - 11:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The poor distribution of SA wealth is mainly because of the resources and lands belongs to the big companies and the oligarchs.
Integration with China is crucial, as integration with our dear neighbours.
Mujica is doing a great job in achieving both.
Pepe is spot on here. SA is a very rich continent but the lack of wealth distribution has nothing to do with big companies etc. It due to the history of corruption in all countries outside of Chile. Argentina is a prime example of this. It should be one of the world leading economies but due to corruption the majority of its population are poor.
May 29th, 2013 - 12:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0Hands off
May 29th, 2013 - 12:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0You are talking bullocks, if the Argentine state would be the owner of all Argentinas resources, Saudi Arabia would look like Paraguay in comparison...
4 Stevie . Could you please explain ,in simple polite language , what you have against Paraguay ? What has this country got to do with Mujica in China ?
May 29th, 2013 - 01:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0It is sad that a country of 3.3 million people wedged between two countries that have a combined population of ~240 million thinks that integrating with countries on the other side of the planet is the future.
May 29th, 2013 - 02:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0Also, as for “Uruguay is the last agricultural reserve of mankind” - what a load of bollocks. New Zealand is bigger, more pristine and closer to Asia.
As of the inequality in South America - purely the fault of government. These countries have had 2 centuries to get over their colonial past. Entire countries have come into being, experimented with different forms of governments and economics and then disappeared in that time.
6 I had , as I prepared to retire to my very comfortable bed ,to smile when I read your comment . One understands why many African countries still criticise their old imperial masters . After all they gained their independence in the 50's or 60's.
May 29th, 2013 - 02:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0But for the countries in this area to sing the same sing is just stupid . Most have been independent fir more than two hundred years . One of the nice things about Paraguay is they do not keep on harping about the colonialist pass . Could be that the last Spanish Governor surrendered peacefully ! No Generals. ,no Admirals . Just a simple and happy new world .
Baxter
May 29th, 2013 - 03:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0What the British did in Australia during colonial times is accepted as our own actions for they became what we are today.
Nearly 50% of Australia's population was either born overseas or is the first generation to be born here. And yet it is accepted that 150 years of British colonial rule is as Australian as the 65 since independence.
If oligarchs and big business was the root cause of all South Americas's inequality, then how were the people so empowered to fight for their independence from Spain and then not able to do the same against the vested interests in their own countries.
Repeating a mantra to reimage history is the reason that Venezuela and Argentina are effectively oligarchies. Where is the outrage at that?
Baxter
May 29th, 2013 - 06:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0I have nothing against Paraguay, it's yet another brother nation on the rise.
But that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the poorest nations in South America, with the most wicked distribution of wealth, main export being human beings and contraband.
Other than that it's a beautiful country full of great people.
9 you forgot soybean , meat and wood . In meat now passed Argentina in volume . In soybean amongst the big ones if you look at the figures . People will come back .
May 29th, 2013 - 12:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Honestly you can keep Paraguay. Hot, humid and land locked. Uruguay is by far the best country in South America.
May 29th, 2013 - 03:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Love the way Stevie differentiates between China and any huge multinational, and does not seem to think national lawmakers actually run countries in SA.
May 29th, 2013 - 04:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Just keep blaming Europe and North America.
12
May 29th, 2013 - 05:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well, those oligarchs I've mentioned are the ones to blame for selling the country to the multinationals. One thing is to close deals that benefits the population, a whole other thing is to sell the resources in order to fill your own pockets.
So, yes, plenty of Uruguayans are to blame for our situation up until 2002, but we are dealing with them as we speak, and I fully trust Pepe to make deals that not only benefits the Chinese Companies (and others), but also the Uruguayan population.
@8 Anglotino good point
May 29th, 2013 - 05:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Apparently
May 29th, 2013 - 06:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0China is on the lookout for local colonies??
For their growing ambition.
With no end of takers from the south American continent..lol.
Still,
Gives a whole new meaning to the Chinese takeaways lol.
8 Good point . But not sure about your historical figures . I understood that Canada , New Zealand and Australia became self governing in 1901 . Or the parties in 2001 were a figment of our imagination ?
May 29th, 2013 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.lr21.com.uy/politica/1106935-mujica-en-uruguay-nadie-se-muere-por-exceso-de-trabajo-pero-no-es-un-pais-corrupto
May 29th, 2013 - 11:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0With Europe, everything unites us, our history, our culture, traditions, affections, but if Europe keeps its doors closed towards Latin America, reality will force our nations to seek other alliances and other relations
Grande Pepe!
Baxter.
May 29th, 2013 - 11:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0No, three different countries with three different dates of independence.
Australia had 3 stages of independence. Federatiom, Statute of Westminster and Australia Act. 1901, 1943 and 1984 off top of my head. The point is the we don't absolve ourselves of any blame for actions before a certain point as is the case with colonial constructed countries in most of the Americas.
As for all this talk of oligarchs, Latin American oligarchs are mere amateurs compared to the current Chinese government.
”The net worth of the 70 richest delegates in China’s National People’s Congress, which opens its annual session on March 5, rose to 565.8 billion yuan ($89.8 billion) in 2011, a gain of $11.5 billion from 2010, according to figures from the Hurun Report, which tracks the country’s wealthy. That compares to the $7.5 billion net worth of all 660 top officials in the three branches of the U.S. government.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-26/china-s-billionaire-lawmakers-make-u-s-peers-look-like-paupers.html
The net worth of 70 unelected Chinese politicians is the same as the GDP of Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.
Uruguay's GDP of US$47 billion is chump change to these Chinese oligarchs when they had an average income of US$171 million each in a year.
That's obscene.
But I love how people swallow their morals when they attempt to point score.
11 Hands off .Paraguay, hot , humid and landlocked . True , but it is quite pleasant. We have now got past the horse drawn carts and use air conditioned cars . The old , lovely wooden shacks have , alas , gone . Now we have air conditioned houses , flats and high rise buildings . We even have an airport , wide avenues , hotels ( some five star to boot ) , restaurants ( not yet a Michelin star , but getting close ) . But , I agree , Montevideo is nice , my daughter lives there .
May 30th, 2013 - 12:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0Oh , I almost forgot . Another plus for Paraguay , they still attend one with a smile. Not a snarl like in some other cities .
As somebody once said -- comparisons are odious .
Anglolatino
May 30th, 2013 - 12:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0You need to keep up with Pepe, the deal is that the Chinese builds the railroads with Uruguayan labour, fair enough they make profit, but at least it's not on our behalf, it's not like our current railroads are making huge profits...
You fail to see reality, Pepe is offering food and, in the deep sea port, a direct link to China. Not only for the food from Uruguay.
On another note, the Chinese are to construct a canal in Nicaragua, as the one in Panamá, an Investment of some 40B dollars if I remember correctly.
You really need me to point out another dot in the route?
20 . Surely you mean rebuild the railways . They were built by the British so many, many years ago and now not used ! How can you say that they make a huge profit ? They , the railways , are dead . No profit for anybody . If you do not believe me visit the main station in Montevideo . A ghost !
May 30th, 2013 - 01:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0Building a new deep sea port ? Why not start by improving the actual port ? Close to the sea and plenty of space for improvement .
How many more dots for Anglotino ?
Baxter
May 30th, 2013 - 01:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0Read my post again.
Read it slowly.
Talk to you later.
22 have done ! I missed the it's not as if . Apologies , must be the humid heat getting me down ! I will also take advantage to remark on your comment 17 . He is right about closed doors . The main culprit being France which takes full advantage of the Common Agricultural Policy . Ofcourse that country is run by farmers , unions and students . The Government very well thank you .
May 30th, 2013 - 02:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0In the UK we were lucky that the Bishops , in the eleventh century , started the two big universities far from London . I refer to Oxford and Cambridge . Unlike the Sorborne which is in the middle of Paris !
China is a self serving nation run by the communist party elite & has no intention of doing any favours for anybody. Most of it's projects in Africa are completed by it's own technicians & only the lowest paid manual labour goes to the locals
May 30th, 2013 - 12:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The old USSR tried to dominate the world through political interference & supporting puppet governments but eventually crumbled under it's own weight
China is trying to dominate the world through it's economic might relying on the greed of the capitalist system but will also crumble under it's own weight due to lack of infrastructure & out of control corruption
As for inequality in S.A. the old oligarchs & imperialists have been replaced a long time ago by a succesion of corrupt governments who are more interested in lining their own pockets than helping people out of poverty (especially Arg, Bra & Venez)
So take note Pepe, you are about to be dominated by the Chinese.......& btw not one mention of Mercosur!!!
@23 Your remark about France being run by 'farmers , unions and students' reminded me of something one of my French friends told me. On starting at her new job in Boston, USA, she introduced herself and finished by saying, 'Of course, I am French so expect me to be on strike 30% of the time'. : )
May 30th, 2013 - 12:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Whatever China might say at the time of any agreement they are renowned for bringing their own workers in on any project. What could Uruguay do about it? They cannot stand up to CFK so I doubt they would take on the Chinese.
I can see that having Uruguayo workers to construct the port would be nice but let us not lose sight of the real winner here: we end up with a deep sea port that the argies cannot mess with, a new spur from Ruta 9 to feed it from all over the country and Brasil as well.
May 30th, 2013 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The port will make far more money for the country than 3-5 years of workers ever would.
China has her interests at heart,
May 30th, 2013 - 06:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And only her interests, everything else is purely profit
And china’s interests ..
25 ElaineB . Glad you found the comment on France interesting . With regard to the Chinese in Uruguay I think you will find that they use local labour where possible . In the case of Uruguay , which has a very well qualified work force , they will only need to bring in supervisory staff. One hopes that these two vital projects are , eventually , completed for the good of Uruguay .
May 30th, 2013 - 07:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Baxter
May 30th, 2013 - 08:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The negotiation has already happened, the Chinese offered to do the railroads with Chinese workforce or Uruguayan one, the difference being the amount of time they could guarantee the Work to be done in.
Pepe chose the latter.
29 Stevie . Great news , any idea how many people will be employed and how long it will take ?
May 30th, 2013 - 08:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't think they have done the numbers yet, as the deal was (as good as) done with this last visit, Mujica is yet to come home. I'm sure he brings more news on the matter.
May 30th, 2013 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He made some deals in Spain with representants of the Grupo Santander (not the bank itself, but the funding companies) and the pattern repeats itself. Energy sector, tourism, infrastructure.
He is bringing more jobs to the country than than there are Uruguayans...
China and Turkey to finance the Deep sea port (not a done deal yet, although the state has bought almost all land around the planned spot).
German technology for eolic power in Florida and Artigas.
Railroads made by us with the help of the Chinese.
And taking into account all that food he had promised to export,nobody can blame the lack of opportunities.
It's up to us now, as it maybe always has been.
Nunca más aguantes que te disfracen la realidad,
así verás
que no hay que tenerle miedo a la libertad.
31 Stevie
May 30th, 2013 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There will not be much freedom if the Chin are involved.
Tiananmen square at the drop of a hat if they really get pissed off. They are commies of course so you MIGHT be ok (if you ever decide to live here).
Chris, for a country of our size and military power, it matters little who we upset...
May 30th, 2013 - 09:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Lets do what we always have done and upset nobody without ever giving up on our values. For that is what defines a nation, isn't it Chris?
32 Stevie . Must change my opinion of President Mujica . If all you say is confirmed good for him . Uruguay certainly needs all this investment . Especially now that Argentina is going wild , on the economy , and Brazil is starting to feel the winds of stagflation .
May 30th, 2013 - 10:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0While I'm all for Uruguay winning these deals, Stevie you aren't in Uruguay.
May 30th, 2013 - 11:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There is no home or ours or us. You aren't Uruguay by your own words you said you weren't. Until you say otherwise Mujica hasn't done anything for you, just a country that you have visited.
Your own words not mine. No one is forcing you to lie.
Anything that reduces Uruguay's dependence on the Argentine or Brazilian economies and governments whims is to be applauded.
Sounds like a perfect addition to the Pacific Alliance. Outward looking and trading.
Anglolatino
May 30th, 2013 - 11:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You really need to stop getting taken away with my nationality, it matters little to my arguments.
Mujica didn't stop there, he also talked about the necessity of Mercosur and the importance of Argentina and Brazil for Uruguay, mainly in culture and tourism.
In Mercosur, Uruguay always have had to find a niche in order to have anything to offer its big neighbours. And traditionally its has been that we buy their products and they give the money back as tourists.
We also have a worrying amount of Brazilians and Argentines as the owners of the most lucrative sectors of the Uruguayan market, but as long as they use the land to the benefit of the people, having environment in mind, I see no problem in it. The same goes for the Chinese. A railroad-building Chinese that makes profit is better than a non-Building Uruguayan oligarch that makes profit.
Pepe finally said that he would die before giving up the Latin American integration.
@ Steve..... thanks for your contributions to this site. I appreciate your knowledge, the information you bring, and your even temperament..
May 31st, 2013 - 12:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0rylang
May 31st, 2013 - 05:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0You are most kind, proper information is crucial for agreement and understanding. If we all choose to spread false misinformation or even true, but selective information, we will never reach a conclusion that serves us to prosper as human beings.
Again, thank you for your kind words.
@ Stevie.... Da nada!
May 31st, 2013 - 12:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 037 rylang23
May 31st, 2013 - 04:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I appreciate your knowledge, the information you bring, and your even temperament..
Then I should try and shown an even temperament yourself if I were you.
I remember your little tantrum, do you?
@3 rylang23
“From now on that is how you will be perceived here. Nothing but a CIA troll. You will need to change you pseudonym now, but we will watch for you and call you out.”
BUT! What’s this? I did not change my tag AND I am still here!
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Windmills and photo-voltaic-cell nut-job, eh. But you don’t understand the whole life costs do you?
Still a leftie eh! Bit of a love fest with Steve going on here but don’t worry he is trying to make Anglotino jealous: some hope!
LOLs
I really do appreciate your wit, Chris. Very sharp. But I've matured now, so you'll no longer see me flipping out at Monsatan. They are free to destroy any planet they choose. Even yours. And I do so appreciate a well played debate. Sometimes you actually score points with me. Very sharp.
May 31st, 2013 - 06:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes, a Leftie, (I might say Progressive Anarchist or some other ism. )and in my own unique way from a well reasoned perspective. As adults, we all can debate here (at MceroPress) the unfolding of what is happening around us. It's just that it is really hard for me to wrap my brain around conservative concepts most times, because they really do not make any sense to me. So, have patience with those of us who challenge you.
Chao, Chris!
Still a leftie, yes Chris. Generations comes and generations goes, and still we are lefties.
May 31st, 2013 - 07:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Enjoy your stay in a leftie nation, I hope nobody is treating you badly.
42 Stevie
May 31st, 2013 - 10:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0No Stevie, everyone here has treated me exceptionally well, just like the UK USED to be.
Why don't you pop over sometime and see for yourself?
BTW, the spheres I move in I have yet to find a leftie: or one who will admit it perhaps. :o)
You must be doing your best to avoid them, we are a clear majority after all...
Jun 01st, 2013 - 04:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0It's sad really, you have an opinion of people without even knowing them, and as you say, they haven't treated you badly.
You dislike the ideology, which ever that may be, and with that, the persona.
And I repeat, we need your knowledge, not your prejudices...
44 Stevie
Jun 01st, 2013 - 11:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0I see where you are going with this but perhaps your extended leave from the country has 'left' you out in the cold (do you see the pun).
Being VERY careful not to influence people with my views I find that they are NOT indentured lefties and cannot wait to get rid of Pepe. They know Vasquez is coming back but it speaks volumes to think that a closet RC, rabid anti-abortionist, is preferred to a commie, if they are all 'lefties' as you claim.
I suppose being on the tourist coast and owning their own property (some of them more than one) has a lot to do with it. :o)
Chris
Jun 01st, 2013 - 12:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Vazquez is a socialist of the more liberal breed, only a commie in the USA. He is great to unite people, but we both know Pepe is far more efficient in getting things done.
Uruguay has historically never been in such a good state as it is today, and your friends are running out of excuses.
Chris..... I think you've met your match! But, I digress.....
Jun 01st, 2013 - 12:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Please explain why it is that politically conservative people come to socialist Uruguay? My opinion is that you all are here to enjoy a peaceful country not at war with anyone, and to exploit its resources for personal financial gain. How do you all justify that in your minds? Must make some of you crazy to have to lower yourselves to living with the benefits of socialism.
47 rylang23
Jun 01st, 2013 - 04:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We were originally going to retire is South Australia because my wife is a chronic asthmatic and the dry air suited her better but the thought of very high temperatures in the summer (even the locals around Kadina claimed it was too hot) made us think again. The cut in our net wealth because of the cunt Brown (a Socialist moron) and the collapse in house prices and drop in interest rates conspired to drop us below the AUS $ 1.5M (plus if you really cost the medical fees into it) and the thought of being at the whim of the Socialists (as has been proven) finished it for us.
Kadina is on the 39th parallel as is Valparaiso and Montevideo. Valparaiso is on the rim of fire as we found out when we visited MVD in 2010 and the west side of the 39th had major problems. We loved Uruguay and the people, didn’t really care for the flavour of the politics but did appreciate the stability.
So UYU it was and no, you are wrong again to suggest we exploit UYU resources for personal financial gain. We do have nearly all our personal money invested with the government and we pay taxes on the receipts, as we pay taxes in the UK on our limited wealth there. So you could quite rightly say we pay for the benefits of socialism in UYU AND it does not make me crazy.
I have answered your questions now answer mine please. Why are you here? Do you work here? Do you pay taxes here? Are you going for citizenship?
@46 Stevie
I never claimed Vasquez was a commie, I know he is a Socialist and I know he takes no shit from TMBOA and The Dark Country. I just do not like him being manoeuvred by his RC wife into denying woman control over their own bodies, which is completely unacceptable to me.
I think Pepe being ‘guided’ by Lucy is enough meddling from the sidelines.
And why should my friends make excuses for NOT being commies????
Chris
Jun 01st, 2013 - 04:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0So socialists aren't lefties in your book now?
Where do you draw the lines to make your statement coherent?
Your friends needs excuses as to why people shouldn't vote on the FA on next elections, and next again... Just as they are in badly need of excuses to explain why the poor shouldn't be fed...
@49 Stevie
Jun 01st, 2013 - 06:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You haven't said anything in reply to my real concerns, being as you are tied up with defending the indefensible: communism.
I cannot comment on 'The Poor' because I do not know enough about them other than this: they are very uneducated and that is NOT because all teachers are bad, far from it.
Try looking at the correctional school in Maldonado for starters, even the local Policia bulk at getting involved but at last they have a new management team and they are addressing the very considerable inactions by the previous ‘Principal’ which let everything go slide. You name it, it was not done!
Commies are a dying breed around the world and when the two twats in Cuba go that will be the end there as well. Pity they will likely go without the real send off they deserve.
Are there any real commies left in Uruguay outside of the unions and the agitators in MVD? I keep seeing vandalised buildings and even large areas of natural stone claiming some ‘power’ that they have but so far NO marches, NO flyers telling me to vote for them, I am sure you know the crack.
Read the messages on the walls, listen to the words of the Murga...
Jun 01st, 2013 - 09:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You clearly don't know anything about Uruguay other than it's a relatively cheap and tranquile place where the sun shines.
That is the main reason you don't vote in the first place...
Hola Chris,
Jun 01st, 2013 - 10:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The answers to your questions:
Why are you here?
Couldn't stomach the direction of the US. Voted for Obama in 2008, saw who he hired to handle the financial crisis in the days after his election, and determined that I had been had. I'm done with the US. Don't get me started.
Do you work here?
Not yet. Here less than a year. Have many ideas and am developing a few right now.
Do you pay taxes here?
Not yet, but hope that I will be.
Are you going for citizenship?
Yes.
52 rylang23
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0Excellent!
BTW I thought Obama was going to bring a new slant if not a new start to US politics, he is after all a very well educated man and black.
What an absolute disappointment on so many levels.
But I knew the UK had nowhere to go when Camoron was elected leader of my party. Never done a days work in his life that man.
@ChrisR.
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 12:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I live in Uruguay myself but find the cold winter air to be terrible for my asthma. How does your wife cope?
Currently looking at the dry mountain (non-socialist) air of Andorra :)
54
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 01:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Here's the medecine for those few windy days, Yorugua...
Few windy days. lol thats funny.
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 03:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 054 Hands Off
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 03:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is a problem but not as bad as it was in the UK. She has found the summers to be much better for her and it has taken two years for her to have a chesty cold whereas she was never free of them in the winter months in the UK.
We use a trio of James dehumidifiers in the house during the day and move them into the bedrooms for the last three hours. I was amazed at how much condensate come out of the air.
I have also sealed the doors and windows to cut down on the draughts.
Hope you manage to control your asthma,BUT it MUST be non-socialist air to count. :o)
Thanks ChrisR. I don't really get asthma as such but my lungs become inflamed and its hard to breathe etc. Most of the time we have just resorted to leaving Uruguay in the damp winters. I think a humidifier is a good idea but that will be pretty expensive considering the cost of power in Uruguay. Been to the doctor and they can't find anything wrong. Its just a reaction to cold damp air. I could stay in Uruguay and fight through this but Andorra looks like the perfect solution. The quality of life is higher and its actually cheaper :) I do like the summers in Uruguay though (especially Punta). Thanks again for the information.
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 03:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sorry lads, forgot the link... Guess I'm not getting any younger either...
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 05:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oApquXHbQQ
Pareceres, for the few windy days.
As for solving an asthma issue, you really need to insulate your house.
Houses in Uruguay are seldom insulated, for the simple reason that it's not economically viable to do so in order to avoid 2 months humidity and cold.
On the positive side, a good insulation helps against the summer heat as well...
But hey, don't take me wrong here, Andorra is an exquisite destination... ;)
hey Stevie. I agree with the insulation etc but the conditions affect me from around March - November. Wish it was only 2 months of cold. Andorra is awesome and ironically cheaper than Uruguay. Hight expectations so lets hope it works out.
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 060 Hands Off
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Let us know how you get on.
Lets hope so. I'm glad you found a cheaper solution, makes me feel a bit luxious... ;)
Jun 02nd, 2013 - 10:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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