A United States Senate delegation composed of Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) visited Uruguay January 10-11, 2002. The Senators met with U.S. Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein, Uruguayan legislators and President Dr. Jorge Batlle.

At the end of the meeting with President Batlle at the official presidential residence both visitors spoke to the press:

Senator Specter: We have just finished a very fruitful meeting with the President and in that meeting we discussed many topics. We first talked about the Argentine economy and the negative impact that difficult situation has on Uruguay. We spoke about various aspects of Codex and U.S. economic and commercial relations with Uruguay, which we want to expand. We spoke of matters related to South America and we believe we have gained a better understanding, a better view of the Latin American situation. In particular we spoke about the Argentine economy. We hope that country, which is experiencing a crisis which impacts other countries as well, manages to achieve a solution to such a difficult economic situation.

Senator Chafee: In the first place I would like to say how positive our meeting with the President was. I consider it very important to work together and increase the friendship which exists between the United States and countries of the region. I consider President Batlle a very interesting person and we greatly enjoyed our meeting with him.

Biographies:
Senator Arlen Specter
Senator Lincoln Chafee