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Event Date: 10/19/2007
Derrick in Missouri
writes: I am a older college
student who wants to become a Diplomatic Security
agent. How do you feel about the state of security
information between U.S. and other nations? Are we
doing a good job? Also, in your mind are we as a nation
able to openly talk to countries like Uruguay about
trade more loosely compared to Mexico?
Ambassador Baxter:
Diplomatic security is a very important
function. Our relationship with the security forces
of other countries is excellent even when we may not
get along on other issues. Re trade, we have an open
dialogue with Uruguay and both countries are working
hard on the TIFA. Thanks for asking
Blaise in Washington,
DC writes: First of all Mr.
Ambassador, thanks for your service to the country.
My question is: As you know Uruguay has a problem
with emigration. Most of them are young and highly
qualified looking to earn higher salaries in Europe
and the United States. So, what is it that the United
States and the Uruguayan Government are doing to try
and tackle the problem for example by increasing their
wages?
Ambassador Baxter:
Uruguayans are very concerned about
the brain drain. The best answer is to prepare more
young Uruguayans for 21st century jobs, and to realize
that with the internet a person can employ their skills
anywhere without leaving home.
Bill in Pennsylvania
writes: I have found in my
many travels that people meeting people breaks down
conceptions about each other. Have you ever thought
about doing the sister city program with one or more
of the Uruguayan cities?
Ambassador Baxter:
Montevideo has a sister city relationship
with Montevideo, Minnesota.
Juanjo in Uruguay writes:
Hello, I live in Montevideo.
Thank you for this chance to write to you. I read
in a Uruguayan newspaper about the Programa Ceibal
(one computer per child) and the comment was that
it is a waste of money because poor children will
be tempted to sell their computers for food or have
them stolen by drug addicts and instead the government
should use that money to feed the children in poor
schools. I saw in your web page that you went to the
school in Villa Cardal to support the program. Some
people think our government is been pushed to buy
these computers so that American companies can get
rich. Why do you support this program? Do you really
believe poor children have a chance?
Ambassador Baxter:
Unfortunately, there are no panaceas
in education, but acquiring the ability to reach the
rest of the world electronically is one of the most
important steps. A computer is the first step but
it certainly is not the only one. With the price of
those computers, I doubt if anyone is making much
money. In fact I believe the final winner of the bids
is a non-profit organization. If you spent some time
with those children, you would quickly see the benefits.
Security for the computers can certainly be handled
Nathaniel in New Hampshire
writes: What effect, if any,
do you think Venezuela's joining of the MERCOSUR Trade
Agreement will have on U.S.-Uruguayan relations, the
latter of which has already ratified Venezuela's application?
Ambassador Baxter:
I focus on our relationship with Uruguay
which is very important to the United States.
Eric writes:
Mr. Ambassador, thank you for your
service in Montevideo and for your availability on
this web chat. Can I ask you a question on trade...Where
do you see MERCOSUR headed, from the perspective of
the two smaller economies Uruguay and Paraguay?
Ambassador Baxter:
My focus is on our relationship with
Uruguay. Our country supports trade between other
countries, as trade always benefits the greatest number
of people
Jefferson in Oklahoma
writes: Do many Americans
visit Uruguay as tourists and if so, is it a safe
country and what do they most want to do there? Thank
you.
Ambassador Baxter:
Uruguay is one of the safest countries
in the world.
Thousands of North Americans visit
in on cruises, and more and more are staying for longer
periods. It has something for everyone. We all know
about the world class beaches in Punta Del Este. The
art and music are fabulous. There are quaint villages
throughout the interior. You can look at birds or
hunt birds depending on your taste. You can be a gaucho
for a while on one of the estancias. There are also
many investing possibilities.
Kyle in North Carolina
writes: Hello Ambassador Baxter.
How has Uruguay reacted to the U.S.-Uruguay Bilateral
Investment Treaty over the last year? And has it increased
trade or decreased trade?
Ambassador Baxter:
The treaty has resulted in more trade.
Uruguay has always been a safe place to invest. To
have the assurance that there will be no currency
controls or expropriations is an added benefit. There
are many opportunities being investigated by North
Americans.
Michael in Utah writes:
What is being done in relations
with Uruguay and other moderate-left Latin American
countries like Chile and Brazil to assure that they
avoid the totalitarian tactics espoused by Hugo Chavez
in Venezuela? It seems that the more we engage these
countries as co-equals, respecting their sovereignty
and needs, we will neutralize the influence of Chavez.
What specifically is being done to support these countries?
Femblix in Guinea writes:
If I may ask the U.S. Department
of State what are the educational views in 2008 in
Uruguay in regards to its adherence to human rights
goals. What are the economic policies regarding trade
unions trade policy reform based on sustainable development
in the region? How are these policies to be implemented?
Is there a system in place in Uruguay to respond to
ocean emergencies, or are places of world heritage
at risk because there’s not system in place?
Dieter from Germany writes:
What kind of education issues
do you regard as very important with regard to the
bilateral relations between the U.S. and Uruguay?
Ambassador Baxter:
Both countries realize that investing
in people is one of the most important tools for increasing
trade. We are cooperating in many ways. We are helping
teach 19,000 young Uruguayans learn English. We have
many exchanges both ways.
Dieter from Germany:
Is there any progress towards free
trade?
Ambassador Baxter:
For most 21st century industries trade
is already fully free. Anything thing legal that can
be transmitted electronically encounters no barriers.
The TIFA provides for exploring avenues of trade that
do not require parliamentary approval. There is much
progress
Jean in Pennsylvania
writes: How long have you
been in Uruguay? What would an Uruguayan tell an American
about our mission in his/her country - Uruguay?
Ambassador Baxter:
I have been here for 11 months. I
wouldn't presume to say what an Uruguayan would say
about our mission. I will say that I have met thousands
of Uruguayans for all walks of life, and I believe
they are the friendliest people in the world. I have
grown very fond of this country, its people and my
job.
Lieselotte in Germany
writes: To what extent does
the U.S. interact with Uruguay in matters of education?
Does the U.S. support the education
system in Uruguay?
Is there a relevant exchange between
the two countries with regard to university programs
and students going abroad?
Ambassador Baxter:
There are many exchanges and programs.
Both countries realize that education is imperative
in the information age and work together in many ways
to help all people in both countries achieve their
potential.
Martin in Germany writes:
What do you think are the
most important aspects of the U.S.-Uruguay trade relations
that ought to be improved? Is Uruguay supporting President
Bush´s free trade agenda?
Ambassador Baxter:
I personally am a free trade advocate
and will not be satisfied until all barriers except
security are gone. We are working hard on the TIFA.
Blueberries were just approved by the U.S. for import
from Uruguay. I hope they come to Germany. The forces
of protection remain very strong throughout the world,
and I believe that it is important for enlightened
people to point of the tremendous advantages of free
trade
Martin in Germany:
How would you describe the bilateral
relations?
Ambassador Baxter:
Excellent and getting better! | 
On
October 19, 2007, U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay Frank E. Baxter,
participated in the State Department's "Ask the Ambassador"
program -- an online interactive forum where the general
public can submit questions to U.S. Ambassadors around the
world. In this instance, Ambassador Baxter discussed U.S.-Uruguay trade and
educational issues.