On May 21st, Ambassador
Martin J. Silverstein paid a visit to the city of Colonia
del Sacramento, in the Department of Colonia. The purpose
of the trip was for the Ambassador and his wife to meet
with representatives from various organizations in and around
the city, to find out what issues were important to them
and to see how the US Embassy could be of assistance. The
Ambassador was accompanied by Consul Stephen A. Barneby.
Ambassador Silverstein's schedule included visits
to a church, an elementary school, a hotel/golf course/residential
area under construction, to the Colonia Free Trade Zone,
and to the local Alianza Cultural. Ambassador Silverstein
also made calls on the Mayor of Colonia and the Chief of
Police.
Ambassador Silverstein began the morning with a visit to
the Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento, the
oldest church in Uruguay. Father Pedro Wolcan Olano provided
a fascinating history of the church and its recent renovation.
They also discussed the Catholic Church's efforts to assist
the poor and those who had lost their jobs due to the closure
of local businesses.
Ambassador Silverstein then visited School Number 28, "Clemente
Estable," a recently opened full-time elementary school
on the outskirts of Colonia. The children sang songs in
English and waved dozens of American flags. Ambassador Silverstein
spoke with Principal Graciela Cabrera, who had recently
been invited to the US to see school operations there. The
American delegation left a donation of school supplies for
the children.
After the school visit, Ambassador Silverstein visited Royal
San Carlos, a complex under development that will eventually
include a luxury hotel, golf course and residential development.
The developers estimate that the initial phase of construction
will be completed in two years. While there is no direct
involvement of US capital in this venture, facility management
will be contracted out to the Sheraton. The Ambassador offered
the services of the Embassy to put the developers in contact
with US firms that could provide services or materials at
competitive rates.
Moving to City Hall, Ambassador Silverstein met with Dr.
Carlos Moreira, Mayor of Colonia. Discussions with Dr. Moreira
centered on current problems in the city caused by the economic
downturn and on how the US Embassy could offer assistance.
The morning activities came to a close with a visit to Colonia
Police Headquarters, where Ambassador Silverstein met with
Principal Inspector Ricardo Bernal Romero.
After a lunch hosted by Mayor Moreira, the American delegation
visited the Alianza Cultural of Colonia, where Ambassador
Silverstein addressed a group of visiting students from
Redlands University. There was a lively give-and-take session
during which the Ambassador discussed his role in Uruguay
and his views on the War on Terrorism.
The Ambassador concluded his visit to Colonia with a short
tour of the historic area.
