THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by
the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 8, 2007
President and Mrs.
Bush will travel to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala,
and Mexico from March 8 - 14, 2007. This trip will underscore
the commitment of the United States to the Western Hemisphere
and will highlight our common agenda to advance freedom,
prosperity, and social justice and deliver the benefits
of democracy in the areas of health, education, and economic
opportunity.
In São Paulo, Brazil, President Bush
will meet with President Luíz Inacio “Lula”
da Silva to discuss a range of issues, including alternative
energy, as well as meet with other leaders of Brazilian
society.
The President will then travel to Montevideo,
Uruguay, to conduct bilateral meetings with President Tabaré
Vázquez, reciprocating his visit to Washington in
May 2006.
President Bush will next travel to Bogotá,
Colombia, to meet with President Álvaro Uribe and
underscore the United States’ commitment to supporting
that nation’s successful battle against narcoterrorism
and efforts to improve the lives of the Colombian people.
The President will also visit Guatemala
to experience the rich cultural diversity of this Central
American nation, meet with President Oscar Berger, and emphasize
the close relationship between our two countries.
The President will conclude his trip with
a visit to Mexico to emphasize our strong partnership with
Mexico and to demonstrate support for President Felipe Calderón’s
efforts to address poverty and income inequality, restore
law and order, fight the common threat of drug trafficking,
and strengthen our economic relationship.
U.S. AMBASSADOR FRANK BAXTER"S STATEMENT
I believe that the visit of President Bush
to Uruguay will mark another positive step in the evolution
of our excellent bilateral relations.
I'm sure the President will look forward
to continuing his dialogue with President Vazquez, begun
at Mar del Plata and deepened last May at the White House.
###
