>Click to enlarge photo  Ambassador Frank E. Baxter presents his credentials to Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez, December 13, 2006.

Montevideo – Ambassador Frank E. Baxter, the new United States Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay officially presented his diplomatic credentials to President Tabare Vazquez during a brief ceremony held today at the Suarez Presidential Residence in Montevideo.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Baxter laid a wreath in honor of Uruguay's founding father, General Jose Artigas, at his monument located in Montevideo's Plaza Independencia.

Ambassador Baxter later hosted a press conference for the Uruguayan media at his residence in Parque Batlle. "I look forward to working closely with President Vazquez and the government of Uruguay. We are committed to a common agenda that is focused on democracy, free markets, economic integration, and the development of individuals, so they can participate in the economic opportunities that come with economic growth," stated Baxter in his introductory remarks to the media.

Following is a transcript of Ambassador Baxter's introductory remarks:

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BY U.S. AMBASSADOR FRANK E. BAXTER AT PRESS AVAILABILITY
HELD DECEMBER 13, 2006

>Click to enlarge photo  Ambassador Frank E. Baxter during press availability, December 13, 2006. "I want to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I want to work hard to have our citizens become more aware of the Uruguayan people, your culture and your products," Baxter said.

VIDEO

Buenas tardes y bienvenidos to the residence of the ambassador. I’m am very pleased to let you know that I have just presented my credentials to President Tabare Vazquez as the United States Ambassador to Uruguay. So I think that makes it official. President Vazquez and Minister Gargano and Chief of Staff Fernandez were extremely cordial, it was a wonderful experience for me.

It is an enormous honor for us to be here with you today. I take my responsibility as the new U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay with a profound sense of humility, gratitude, and awe. I am humbled to be included among the many distinguished people who have been sent to Uruguay before me to represent the United States. I am grateful to President Vazquez and to the Uruguayan people for the warm reception you have given us. And I am in awe of the enormous opportunities that lie ahead of us as we broaden even further the deep friendship that exists between our two nations.

Our bilateral relations are blooming, and firmly rooted in our common values. Uruguay is one of the oldest and strongest democracies in the hemisphere. In fact, Uruguay was recently cited by The Economist magazine for respecting full democracy and ranking 27th out of 167 countries worldwide, and was the only country in South America to receive this distinction. In addition, Uruguay has a strong commitment to the rule of law, and a proud tradition of public education. These are values that I care about very deeply. These are values that Uruguayans share with the people of the United States. The visit of President Vazquez to Washington last May, and his meeting in the Oval Office with President Bush, was a sign of the importance of this relationship to us. I look forward to working closely with President Vazquez and the government of Uruguay. We are committed to a common agenda that is focused on democracy, free markets, economic integration, and the development of individuals, so they can participate in the economic opportunities that come with economic growth.

I want to roll up my sleeves and go to work (your flag is on one of them). I want to work hard to have our citizens become more aware of the Uruguayan people, your culture and your products. I want to put my experience in business, education, and the arts to work for our mutual benefit and understanding. This is a time of opportunity and hope. We must share that vision with every single young person around us.

My immediate priorities are to listen, to learn and travel throughout the country, to learn more about what we need to work together. I see limitless possibilities for our bilateral relationship. As the two President’s said when they met, “todo es posible.”

Thank you.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter, escorted by Francisco Purificati of the Uruguayan Protocol office, arrives at the Suarez Presidential Residence to present his diplomatic credentials to President Tabare Vazquez.

>Click to enlarge photo  Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez and U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter shake hands following the presentation of diplomatic credentials by the new Ambassador of the United States.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter leaving the Suarez Presidential Residence after presenting his diplomatic credentials to President Tabare Vazquez.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter pays tribute to Uruguay's founding father, General Jose Artigas, during a wreath laying ceremony at Montevideo's Plaza Independencia, December 13, 2006.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter places a wreath to honor Uruguay's founding father, General Jose Artigas.

>Click to enlarge photo  Ambassador Baxter greets his wife Kathy following a wreath laying ceremony honoring Uruguay's founding father General Jose Artigas.

>Click to enlarge photo  Ambassador and Mrs. Baxter accompanied by Uruguayan authorities paid tribute to Uruguay's founding father, General Jose Artigas, at his monument in Montevideo's Plaza Independencia.

>Click to enlarge photo  U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter showing the flags of Uruguay and United States sawn to his shirt cuffs, during a press conference held at the Ambassador's Residence, December 13, 2006.

 
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