Uruguay: President Vazquez confident strong ties with the

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000023 SIPDIS WHA FOR CHRIS MCMULLEN WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER/FRIEDMAN/DASCHBACH WHA/PD FOR JOHN DICKSON NSC FOR DAN RESTREPO E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/10 TAGS: PREL PGOV UY SUBJECT: Uruguay: President Vazquez confident strong ties with the U.S. will continue under Mujica CLASSIFIED BY: David Nelson, Ambassador, State, Exec; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) ¶1. In a warm and friendly meeting following the Ambassador's presentation of credentials, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez told Ambassador Nelson that he had worked hard to build strong relations with the United States and was gratified by the results. He noted that President Elect Mujica, who will take office March 1, understands the importance of the relationship and is dedicated to continuing it. Vazquez explained that Mujica, then serving in the executive branch for the first time as the Minister of Agriculture, was very involved in President Bush's visit to Uruguay in March 2007, and had found it to be a positive experience. President Vazquez was accompanied by Foreign Minister Pedro Vaz and Chief of Staff Miguel Angel Toma. ¶2. Vazquez emphasized the importance of the breadth of exchange programs that the USG had undertaken in Uruguay during his term. The commercial, scientific, educational, political, cultural and sports programs and events are vital to the establishment of ties and mutual understanding between our two countries and to provide young Uruguayans with additional opportunities. ¶3. Vazquez closed the meeting by asking the Ambassador to pass a message to President Obama that he has a standing invitation to visit Uruguay. The GOU understands that the President may go to Brazil at some point this year; Uruguayans would love to receive him. Nelson