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