Ambassador Frank Baxter is welcomed by Intendant Carmelo Vidalin in front of the Durazno municipal hall, August 14, 2007. This visit to Durazno was part of a two-day trip by Ambassador Baxter to the south-central regions of Uruguay's interior. While in Durazno, Ambassador Baxter visited schools, talked with local residents and met with people from the business sector and government officials.

While in Durazno, Ambassador Baxter expressed his optimism about the future of the region. "I saw and met many people in Durazno who have ambition and have vision, people who are aware that the world is changing and that we are in a century where the world is the marketplace. People who are creative in the art as well as they are in business. I feel good about that [...] and my president sends his greetings to Durazno and the people of Durazno. Another reason that I feel optimistic about Durazno is that I had lunch with the two congressmen and the intendente, and although they come from different political parties it is clear that Durazno and Uruguay come first with them and they will do what it takes for the people of Durazno and the people of Uruguay."

As part of a two-day visit to Uruguay's interior, U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter met with the Intendant of Durazno, Carmelo Vidalin on August 14 to discuss matters of mutual concern and explore possibilities to attract U.S. investment in Durazno and establish closer relations between the people of the United States and the people of Durazno.

San Pedro de Durazno is the capital city of Durazno, a department located in the heart of Uruguay's interior. Approximately 30.000 people live in the city of Durazno. The region's economic resources are mainly agricultural, wool production, sheep, beef and dairy cattle breeding, and agrotourism.

While in Durazno, Ambassador Baxter visited the Alianza Binational Center (see photos), the local music conservatory, the arts and crafts workshop, and talked with people who are living in a shelter as a result of recent flooding in the area. Ambassador Baxter also visited the Lanas Trinidad wool plant where he met with company director Pedro Otegui and general manager Javier Olazabal.

In press availability with members of the local media, Ambassador Baxter expressed his optimism about the future of Durazno and the region. "I think that Durazno has a lot of potential for investment from abroad [...] and I plan to help investors find you," Baxter said. "Many people come to Uruguay on the cruise ships. I'm planning to start getting on cruise ships when the season starts next month, have a reception for people from the United States, tell them all the good points about Uruguay and especially Durazno, and say to them, come back, enjoy, invest, spend money, because my experience is: to know Uruguay is to love it very much."

AUDIO: Ambassador Baxter and Intendant Vidalin's press availability held in Durazno, August 14, 2007.

Ambassador Baxter and Intendant Carmelo Vidalin walk together in dowtown Durazno meeting and talking with people.		Ambassador Baxter and Intendant Vidalin arriving at the Casa de Rivera museum in Durazno.

Ambassador Baxter admiring a Uruguayan coat of arms in Intendant Vidalin's office.		Intendant Vidalin and Ambassador Baxter visiting the San Pedro church in Durazno's main square.

Ambassador Baxter visits the Lanas Trinidad wool plant in Durazno where he is received by company director Pedro Otegui		Pedro Otegui, director of Lanas Trinidad, explains some of the processing as grease wool passes on a conveyor belt.

Ambassador Baxter travels to areas in Durazno recently affected by flooding where thousands of people have been left homeless.		Ambassador Baxter with COL Carlos Morassi during the ambassador's visit to the Santa Bernadina air force base near Durazno.

 
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