The U.S. State Department’s Assistant
Secretary for Western Hemispheric Affairs, Roger F. Noriega,
will make Uruguay his first stop in his first trip to Latin
America since being confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 29, 2003. Following his stay in Uruguay, Assistant
Secretary Noriega will visit Argentina and then Paraguay.
Assistant Secretary Noriega plans to meet President Jorge
Batlle and several members of his cabinet. Meetings with
other prominent Uruguayans are also planned.
Uruguay is seen as a key U.S. friend and
Assistant Secretary Noriega views this visit as an important
opportunity to articulate and put into action President
Bush’s Western Hemisphere policies. The Assistant
Secretary is grateful to have the opportunity to listen
and learn from the people and government of Uruguay.
Prior to becoming Assistant Secretary, Ambassador
Noriega served as U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization
of American States from 2001 to 2003. While at the OAS,
he worked with hemispheric leaders to strengthen democracy,
advance human rights, foster economic integration and promote
peace and security throughout the Western Hemisphere. In
addition, Ambassador Noriega has served as a senior staff
member for the Committee on Foreign Relations of the U.S.
Senate. From 1994 to 1997 he was a senior staff member for
the Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House
of Representatives. From 1990 to 1994 he worked at the U.S.
Mission to the OAS as a Senior Policy Advisor and Alternate
U.S. Representative, and also as Senior Advisor for Public
Information.
Biography
