U.S.
Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao, led the official delegation
from the United States representing President George W.
Bush at today's Uruguayan presidential inauguration.
The U.S. delegation included Ms. Marilyn
Ware, chairman emerita of the American Water Works Company,
and Martin J. Silverstein, Ambassador of the United States
of America in Uruguay.
In a press release issued February 28, the
Department of Labor said Chao’s “participation
in the inauguration demonstrates the commitment of the United
States to democracy and economic development in the region.”
Chao met with both the new President Tabare
Vazquez and outgoing President Jorge Batlle Ibañez
during her visit.
Following is the text of the Labor Department
press release, with further details:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2005
U.S. LABOR SECRETARY ELAINE L. CHAO LEADS
DELEGATION TO URUGUAY FOR PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
WASHINGTON -- The United States presidential
delegation, headed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L.
Chao, tomorrow will attend the inauguration of the President
of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. President Tabaré
Vázquez and Vice-President Rodolfo Nin Novoa took
office following an inauguration ceremony in Montevideo,
Uruguay. President Vázquez was elected in October
2004, and succeeds President Dr. Jorge Batlle Ibañez
who transferred the presidential sash during the official
ceremony.
The official presidential delegation includes
U.S. Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Martin
J. Silverstein and Ms. Marilyn Ware of Pennsylvania who
will join Secretary Chao for the official inaugural events.
The Secretary's participation in the inauguration
demonstrates the commitment of the United States to democracy
and economic development in the region. Secretary Chao's
visit will include meetings with the newly elected President
and outgoing President Dr. Jorge Batlle Ibañez. In
addition, the Secretary will be meeting with leaders of
key Uruguayan ministries involved in trade and local employers
to talk about the importance of free trade, protecting workers
and creating jobs.
Secretary Chao also will visit a Uruguayan
non-governmental organization, "Centro de Promoción
por la Dignidad Humana," or Center for the Promotion
of Human Dignity (CeProDiH). The local center works with
children, the elderly, and abused women, in an effort to
help those who are disadvantaged return to a productive
life in Uruguayan society.
(end text)
STATEMENT BY STATE DEPARTMENT DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
ADAM ERELI
State Department Media Briefing
March 1, 2005
Washington, D.C.
QUESTION: Uruguay has installed a new president
that heads by one-third to the leftist contingent of leaders
in South America. Do you have any observations on what's
happened? First time, too, Uruguay.
MR. ERELI: The United States congratulates
President Tabare Vazquez on his inauguration as President
of Uruguay. We extend our best wishes to him and to his
administration. They are beginning important work in advancing
Uruguay both politically and economically. Our relations
with Uruguay, obviously, are based on shared values and
mutual respect and we consider Uruguay an important friend
and partner and we look forward to working with President
Vazquez and his government as they move forward to implement
policies that serve the interests of the people of Uruguay
and cooperation in the hemisphere.
