Ambassador Baxter's vehicle travels down a country road in Uruguay's south-central region of Flores as he continues a two-day trip to the interior which includes the cities of Trinidad and Durazno where he met with Intendentes Castaingdebat and Vidalin, visited schools and talked with local business leaders.

"I'm very inspired by this visit, it's clear that the leadership of this department [Flores] is aware of the challenges of this century and has a vision for going forward," stated Ambassador Baxter while in Trinidad. "I want to see all of Uruguay because I've heard that Uruguay is not just Montevideo. I have grown, in my eight months in your country, to truly love your country and your people. I am very optimistic about Uruguay and I'm beginning to see that today the world is the market place, Uruguay alone is not the market place for your goods and services. Uruguay is important to the United States because of your commitment to democracy, to the rule of law, to human rights, and your low corruption. I think many of the conditions for economic growth are present, our Bilateral Investment Treaty has encouraged investment from the United States in Uruguay and I think the TIFA is allowing our countries to explore ways of doing business that do not require parliamentary approval, a good example are the blueberries and now we have apples that can be sold by Uruguay in the United States."

U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter completed a two-day visit to the south-central regions of Flores and Durazno. The August 13-14 visit began in Trinidad where Ambassador Baxter was received by the Intendant of Flores, Armando Castaingdebat.

Trinidad is the capital city of Flores. Roughly 20.000 people live in Trinidad. The region's main economic resources are raising cattle and sheep for export as well as farming and ecotourism.

While in Trinidad, Ambassador Baxter visited the Alianza Binational Center and the American School where he met with teachers and students (see photos), toured Flores' Casa de la Cultura, the Dr. Rodolfo Talice Nature and Wildlife Reserve and the local museum. He also met with local cattle and sheep producers and later attended a live concert sponsored by the U.S. Embassy featuring the Uruguayan band Hickory Wind Country Music Group.

In welcoming Ambassador Baxter to Flores, Intendant Castaingdebat stated "in the short time we've known each other, we've come to share the same challenges that deal basically with trying to solve one of the biggest problems Flores is facing, and that is to offer opportunities for training and jobs for the young people of our region and our country." In press availability, Ambassador Baxter stated that he felt very optimistic about Uruguay's potential future. In addition to exports and investments that are stimulated by the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the TIFA, Ambassador Baxter feels that "animation, movie production and services that can be sold by wire online are a real potential for Uruguay, and we want to work to promote that." "The most important capital in this century is human capital, and the success for the people and the country is preparing that capital to address a 21st century economy," he added.

AUDIO: Ambassador Baxter and Intendant Castaingdebat's press availability held in Trinidad, August 13, 2007.

Ambassador Baxter and Political officer David Edginton meet with Intendant Armando Castaingdebat in Trinidad, August 13, 2007 to discuss the challenges the region of Flores is facing.		Ambassador Baxter in press availability with Intendant Castaingdebat. "I would suggest a new slogan for Uruguay: 'A Small Country That Thinks Big'," stated Baxter in praising Uruguay's potential.

Intendant Armando Castaingdebat accompanies Ambassador Baxter on a walk through the city of Trinidad as they visited the Alianza Binational Center, the American School and Flores' Casa de la Cultura.		Intendant Castaingdebat and Ambassador Baxter petting a baby llama at the Dr. Rodolfo Talice Nature and Wildlife Reserve. [More photos of the wildlife reserve visit]

Ambassador Baxter examines the quality of wool produced by Corriedale animals bred at the Granja Roland facility in Trinidad.		Children gather around Ambassador Baxter and Intendant Castaingdebat and his wife during a country music concert in Trinidad's Teatro Artigas.

 
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