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George Prescott Bush, son of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, arrived in Montevideo today for a five day visit to meet Uruguayan President Batlle, legislators, American business executives and law students. Mr. Bush used the visit to discuss bilateral trade and political issues and to gain insight into key elements of the Uruguayan economy.

Immediately after arrival and a brief visit to the historic U.S. Ambassador's Residence, Mr. Bush, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein, went directly to the Artigas National Monument. He paused for a moment of reflection in front of this great national hero and then visited the General's remains in the tomb below.

Ambassador Silverstein escorted Mr. Bush on a walk through the old city to the Roman Catholic Cathedral. There Mr. Bush spent a moment of reflection and private prayer before visiting the U.S. Embassy for briefings and to meet Embassy staff.

Tuesday, March 11 -- Mr. Bush and Ambassador Silverstein visited the Frigorífico Canelones near Montevideo to see one of Uruguay’s primary industries in action. At the majority American-owned beef processing plant, one of Uruguay’s top exporters to the United States, they were briefed on the importance of the beef sector to the Uruguayan economy. Beef is Uruguay’s main export commodity. Over half of all beef production is exported and beef exports make up approximately 20 percent of total exports.

Following the visit to the beef processing plant, Mr. Bush and Ambassador Silverstein met with the board of the Uruguayan-American Chamber of Commerce. AmCham directors described the Chamber’s activities and how the Uruguayan recession and the region’s problems impact their businesses. Mr. Bush shared his views concerning the importance of Latin America to the United States and the growing influence of this region on U.S. policies. On the importance of trade agreements, Mr. Bush talked about the extensive business opportunities which the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has created in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

President Batlle invited Mr. Bush and Ambassador and Mrs. Silverstein to a private lunch at his residence.

In the afternoon Mr. Bush, accompanied by Ambassador Silverstein, met at the Uruguayan Legislature with Speaker of the House Jorge Chapper, followed by a meeting with Uruguayan legislators. Mr. Bush spoke about the involvement of youth in politics in the United States and their importance to both political parties. The importance of free trade was also discussed, including the benefits NAFTA has provided. Uruguayan legislators provided Mr. Bush with insights into the Uruguayan political system and key issues facing Uruguay.

Wednesday, March 12 – Mr. Bush, accompanied by Ambassador Silverstein, visited Fripur, one of South America’s leading processors of seafood products. The company is a major exporter to the U.S. and a major user of U.S. inputs for their products. Fripur, a 27-year old business with over 1,500 employees, exports to all regions of the world.

Later in the morning Mr. Bush met with law students and faculty at the University of Montevideo for a roundtable discussion. He and fellow law students compared legal studies in the U.S. and Uruguay and exchanged ideas on the advantages of law studies for a political career. Mr. Bush explained his roles in President Bush’s 2000 campaign and Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s 2002 campaign. Uruguayan law students described Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) studies at the University of Montevideo.

Mr. Bush and Ambassador and Mrs. Silverstein visited young patients at Montevideo’s Pereira Rossell pediatric hospital in the afternoon following delivery of $70,000 worth of assorted pharmaceutical products donated by Project CURE and transported to Uruguay by Federal Express. This delivery was the latest in a series of medical donations to Uruguay initiated by Ambassador Silverstein. Mr. Bush and Ambassador and Mrs. Silverstein visited the oncology ward, where they spoke privately with young cancer patients, and the pediatric ward where they saw the intensive care given premature babies.

Thursday, March 13 – Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein traveled with George P. Bush to Punta del Este to see this important Uruguayan venue of major international meetings. They toured the Páez Museum and the Casapueblo, designed and built around his original studio by renowned plastic artist Carlos Páez Vilaró.

Friday, March 14 – George P. Bush visited the Uruguayan American School (UAS) accompanied by Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein and Administrative Officer David J. Savastuk.

During Mr. Bush's hour-long visit to the school, UAS Director David Deuel guided him on a tour of elementary school classes, where they met and chatted with students. Mr. Bush then addressed middle and secondary school students in assembly, speaking to them about his own experiences as a college and law school student, and a high school teacher in an inner-city school in Miami, Florida. A lively question and answer session followed Mr. Bush's remarks, with secondary school students especially keen to have Mr. Bush's advice on what they can do to prepare themselves for college.

At the close of the student assembly, Ambassador Silverstein presented Mr. Bush with the Embassy's Thomas Jefferson Citizen Diplomat Award "in recognition of [his] selfless efforts and keen diplomatic skills in strengthening and solidifying bilateral relations between Uruguay and the United States of America."

Later in the morning Mr. Bush and Ambassador Silverstein toured the Curtiembre Branaa, one of Uruguay's largest tanneries and biggest exporters to the U.S. Branaa's products are well-known throughout the world. Branaa is a supplier of automotive materials for such well-known brands as BMW and Peugeot. Mr. Bush and Ambassador Silverstein discussed with Branaa's owners the firm's current business activities in the U.S. and its interest in supplying the U.S. automotive market. An adjunct of Uruguay’s key beef export industry, leather tanning and leather products provide important value added to Uruguay’s export base.

Mr. Bush’s week-long visit to Uruguay came to a close with a courtesy call on Former President Luis Alberto Lacalle.

Mr. Bush departed Uruguay the evening of March 14, on his way home to Austin, Texas, to finish his law degree.

George P. Bush’s visit to Uruguay significantly advanced the Embassy’s goal of increasing substantive contacts between private sector Americans and Uruguayan legislators, political leaders, businessmen, students and cultural figures.