October 18th, 2005.
The Embassy of Uruguay requests your presence at a
charity art auction in aid
of the Hurricane Katrina Victims on
October 18th, 2005, at 6:00 pm at the
Salón de las Artes, Embassy of Uruguay 1913 I (Eye)
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Uruguayan artist Lorena Etchebarne will exhibit a
wide array
of her art work ranging from abstract to
realistic paintings.
All the proceeds will be donated.
August & September
September 14th, 2005.
Solo exhibit by Nelson Romero.
The Embassy is proud to present this solo exhibit
by Uruguayan artist Nelson Romero in the "Sala de las
Artes".
"Romero is a talented master from the artistic movement
of Uruguay who exposed his refined works in different
countries all over the world... This event responds to
our vision of obtaining recognition in the United States
of our culture: paintings, music, literature, theatre,
films, and, of course, of our artists... this exhibition
is possible due to the cooperation of "Trazos UY", a
non-profit organization established in Canada.
Romero's "Bebedor con guitarra" (Drinker
with guitarr)
The opening of the
exhibition was honored on Wednesday, September 14th,
by the presence of the President of Uruguay, Doctor
Tabaré Vázquez.
President Vázquez and Ambassador of Uruguay, Carlos
Gianelli Derois, addressed the numerous guests that
attended the event.
Remarks by President Tabaré Vázquez.
Ambassador Carlos Gianelli talks about
Uruguayan culture and Romero's career.
President Tabaré Vázquez was presented on the occasion with an
artwork by Romero.
Romero and President Vázquez.
May, June & July
May 5th, 2005.
III Signos,
art exhibition by Uruguayan artists
Lacy Duarte, Diego Masi & Pedro Peralta.
March & April
March 3rd, 2005.
Art exhibition by Uruguayan artists Walter Aiello, Walter Betbeder Rosso
and Alberto Schunk.
As Ambassador Hugo
Fernandez-Faingold finishes his tour in the United
States this month, he and his family took this
opportunity to say good-bye and to thank everyone for
supporting Uruguayan art.
(From Left) Artists
Alberto Schunk, Walter Aiello and Walter Betbeder Rosso
during the opening reception of their exhibition, 3rd
March, 2005.
More
photos on the opening reception.
January & February
February 3rd,
2005. Opening reception of the
art exhibition by
Uruguayan artists Fernando Azcoytia,
Mabel Pacheco, Laura Spera.
Uruguay condecora a John B. Taylor, Subsecretario del
Departamento del Tesoro de EUA para Asuntos
Internacionales
"Embajada del Uruguay, Washington, DC
Salón de las Artes
Lunes, 14 de febrero de 2004
En el día de la fecha
fue condecorado en la Embajada del Uruguay en los
Estados Unidos de América, por el señor Embajador Hugo
Fernández Faingold, en nombre del señor Presidente de la
República, Jorge Batlle Ibáñez, el señor John B. Taylor,
Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs,
con la Medalla de la República Oriental del
Uruguay—grado de Comendador—.
Esta distinción fue
impuesta al mencionado jerarca por su principal rol en
la articulación de la exitosa respuesta de Uruguay a la
crisis regional económica financiera del 2002.
El evento fue
presidido por el señor Embajador Hugo Fernández
Faingold—estando presente asimismo el señor el Ministro
de Economía y Finanzas, Isaac Alfie y el señor
Presidente del Banco Central, Julio De Brum—y acompañado
por un importante marco de público. Se destaca la
asistencia de altos funcionarios de los Departamentos de
Estado, Tesoro y Consejo de Seguridad Nacional, así como
la participación del Embajador de EUA ante la
Organización de Estados Americanos, John Maisto, que
previamente, durante el tiempo de referencia se
desempeñara en la Casa Blanca como asesor presidencial
para asuntos de las Américas, e igualmente de
participación cardinal en el apoyo a la resolución de la
crisis financiera de nuestro país.
A su vez, participaron
funcionarios principales de los organismos financieros
internacionales con sede en esta ciudad, resaltándose la
presencia del señor Presidente del Banco Interamericano
de Desarrollo, Enrique Iglesias.
'President Batlle and his economic
team deserve high marks for their achievements in
putting Uruguay back on the path of growth.'
Sobre el éxito de
las medidas adoptadas:
'Events
have shown that the package and bridge loan were a
success in both the short and in the longer term.
Our bet to support Uruguay's future has paid off.
The rapid provision of financial support bolstered
confidence and enabled Uruguay to reopen the banks
without a resumption of the bank run.'
En cifras:
'Let's
look at the results of these good policies and our
support. In 2002 the economy contracted by 11
percent, inflation surged to 26 percent, and
unemployment rose to 18 percent. By last year,
Uruguay's economy grew a projected 12 percent,
inflation was reduced to close to 7½ percent, and
unemployment fell to roughly 12 percent.'
En relación a la
nueva administración de Gobierno:
'We very
much look forward to working with the incoming
Vazquez administration to build upon these
achievements, both in Uruguay and in the region as a
whole.' (Fin del comunicado).
Nota: Este listado se actualiza
mensualmente, por más comunicados de prensa le sugerimos visitar
directamente el portal del
Ministerio de Relaciones Exterires.
Mr. Chief Justice and Ministers of the Supreme Court of
Justice.
Presidents and Chiefs of State of fellow nations.
Chiefs and members of international delegations honoring
us with your presence.
Commanders in Chief of the Armed Forces.
National and departmental authorities.
Fellow citizens residing in the country and abroad who
are following this ceremony in the media.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
According to the people’s pronouncement in the elections
of this past October 31 and in compliance with the
regulations set forth in the Constitution of the
Republic, I have sworn allegiance to the Constitution
before the General Assembly as it corresponds to the
individual elected to exercise the Presidency of the
Republic for the period commencing today.
This ceremony is not merely protocol. On the contrary,
the pledge of allegiance to the Constitution not only
represents the highest honor a citizen may wish for in a
democratic society, but also implies the greatest
commitment from the individual whom the citizens have
trusted with government’s responsibilities.
You can be sure I shall be faithful and thoroughly
consistent with this pledge.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This is the first time I have spoken in this house and
it will probably be the last.
Please allow me then to share some ideas which when
expressed here and under these circumstances acquire
special significance.
First, I have not come here alone. I have reached the
Presidency of the Republic together with hundreds of
thousands of fellow citizens who this past October 31
voted and supported, in a sovereign and democratic way,
a project for a better nation for all Uruguayan men and
women.
Secondly, we have come a long way.
We are inspired and driven by the principles of freedom,
solidarity and equality of opportunity for all
Uruguayans; principles that were so constant in the
ideology of our father Artigas and still so valid today.
Freedom, ...because freedom is a force which does not
guarantee human happiness, but ensures the human
condition. Freedom to be happy, to be independent and
have private interests; freedom to collaborate on the
construction of a world where nobody is swindled out of
the opportunity and the occasion to be happy. Without
freedom, equality is a caricature and life does not have
any sense.
Solidarity, because it is the best component of the
human condition; solidarity makes us perceive another
individual as our equal and all as we ourselves.
Equality before the law, but also before the life.
Equality as a basic right and an ethical command.
I
would also like to say that although we have come a long
way, we wish to go much farther.
Nations are not built by sheltering in the past, nor are
they built by resigning to the present nor by
abandoning the future. What makes this complex but
beautiful human creation that is the democratic society
so thrilling is that it will never be perfect, but it is
always perfectible.
We are not the owners of the past of our country, but we
are not detached from it either. The political force
that honored me with the candidature to the position I
assume today has roots that go back a century or more,
and its course of action, as well as the those of the
other parties, has been a contribution to the
construction of today’s Uruguay, which is nothing but
the Uruguay that Uruguayan men and women have been able
to construct for generations.
History does not have an end; however, because history
is built with everyday options, I also wish to say that
we have the clear intention to go along this long path
stretching before us together with all the women and men
of this country.
Because just as nations are built with the help of all,
significant changes also have to involve all.
The administration that is taking office today has clear
identity signs and its course of action will certainly
be coherent with the values, principles and proposals
that inspire it, because, among other reasons, this is
the citizens’ will expressed this past October 31.
However, likewise, this administration shall be the
administration of all Uruguayans.
All Uruguayan men and women beyond race, age, place of
residence, ideological identification, religion,
political affiliation or social condition.
In that respect, please allow me to reiterate in this
opportunity the special significance of the agreements
on economic issues, foreign affairs and education
between the new administration commencing today and the
political parties invested this past February 16 in this
venue, house of the National Parliament.
It would be naive to expect miraculous effects from
these agreements. However, it would be ignorant to deny
the significance of the same since they reflect the will
and political pledge to the Republic of those who signed
them.
Allow me say too that notwithstanding the importance of
said agreements, the administration taking office today
considers that the changes that Uruguay claims and
deserves not only require political support, but also
social support. And this administration will act
accordingly.
Behind, definitely behind in the past, that is the place
for illuminated and substantially distant
administrations; today the men and women of this country
assume the inalienable right and the inexcusable
responsibility to be the authors of their own destiny...
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I
am not insensible of the world, regional and national
contexts in which I assume the responsibility of this
administration that Uruguayan citizens have trusted upon
me.
I
am also fully aware of the difficulties, the challenges,
the possibilities and the expectations existing in this
context.
I
believe that with this reality, in these circumstances
and out of elemental respect to the Uruguayan people, to
you and to myself, encyclopedic stories, ecumenical
analyses and ambiguous promises are needless.
Nevertheless, for this same reason and following my oath
of allegiance to the constitution, I consider necessary
to reiterate my commitment to work.
My commitment to working to the full extent of my
aptitudes, authority and possibilities in the
construction of a national project of productive and
sustainable development.
My commitment to working tirelessly for the Social,
Productive, Innovative, Democratic and Regionally
Integrated Uruguay that compose, as the sides of a
polyhedron, a unique strategy of nation for all
Uruguayans.
My commitment to empowering the Legislative Power
residing in this house as the representation of the will
of citizens, as the control body, as a space for debate,
but also for democratic agreements indispensable to
construct a nation.
My commitment to respecting and supporting the Judicial
Power in its condition of independent governmental power
and, at the same time, guaranteeing its
economic/financial independence.
My commitment to empowering departmental administrations
both in their citizen representation and their
responsibilities with those citizens.
My commitment to fighting corruption relentlessly as
well as any other actions disregarding the State.
My commitment to structuring policies that offer decent
work to our people.
And in close connection with the aforesaid, my
commitment to promoting educational, scientific and
technological policies that can train our men and women,
and especially the young generations, for this decent
job, which in the end is the best social policy and
economic policy a nation can have.
My commitment to promoting an active policy in the field
of Human Rights.
We have to admit that today, 20 years after recovering
the democratic institution, there are still dark patches
in the field of human rights.
We also have to admit that for everybody’s own good it
is necessary and possible to clarify these areas within
the framework of the legislation in force, so that peace
can definitely settle in the heart of all Uruguayans and
our collective memory can incorporate yesterday’s
tragedies with their stories of commitment, sacrifice
and catastrophe as indelible lessons for tomorrow. And
with the truth we shall seek to regain peace for our
society, as well as justice and above all, that the
horror of past times never happens again. Never.
We should also admit that there is a lot to do in terms
of racial equality, gender equality, children’s rights,
the right to information, the right to culture, the
right to a safe environment... these are Human Rights
too and they have a strong bearing on the quality of
democracy.
My commitment to listening to people, to maintaining
dialogs, to being accountable to them, to promoting
citizenship that enhances the political, civil and
social rights of Uruguayan men and women.
In summary; my commitment to working towards the changes
proposed during my election campaign which the citizens
supported with their vote.
Support which we must all respect and which I assume as
an order.
Behind, definitely behind in the past, have we left the
time of “presidential offices” that were oblivious to
the will and the needs of the individuals that bestowed
authority upon them.
We have promised changes and we will make changes. We
will begin with the administration itself, in its
attitude, in its actions, especially in what concerns
austerity, respect, open discussion, tolerance and daily
work modality.
Changes that cannot be postponed; feasible changes,
responsible changes, progressive changes, changes among
all and for all, but especially for the benefit of those
who need them the most to reach levels of decent
living.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Allow me now to make some specific references.
The first one, to the distinguished Chiefs of State,
representatives of governments, organizations of civil
society and personalities of brother and fellow nations
accompanying us today.
Thank you, thank you very much for your presence in a
country in which we hope you feel at home and thank you
for your company in such a significant day for Uruguay.
We value your attitude and we shall correspond by
structuring an independent foreign policy, a State
policy, based on:
The support for International Law and
especially total respect for the sovereignty of
other States, the defense and promotion of Human
Rights, the peaceful solution of controversies, the
principle of non intervention, the peoples’
self-determination, the universal condition of
international relations, and the defense and
promotion of democracy.
The strong rejection to all types of
terrorism, violence and discrimination.
The commitment to MERCOSUR and the
priority character of the integration process as the
strategic political process in Uruguay’s
international agenda.
We have said it many times and we
will say it once again: this administration taking
office today wants more and better MERCOSUR.
A greater, stronger MERCOSUR with a
new dimension, which will in turn be a more solid
platform to achieve better international insertion
both of the block itself as well as all its members.
Notwithstanding the aforesaid, we
shall actively develop our relations with all the
other Latin-American countries – all of them,
without any exception, for we feel they are all
equal brothers due to our common Latin American
condition-, we shall contribute our conviction and
our will to provide new impulsion to Iberian
American Summits, to the fast and better
materialization of the Association Treaty with the
European Union, to improve relations with other
regional blocks whether existing or under
construction as well as to the development of the
south – south cooperation.
Our integration to the world will not ignore the
relation with international financial organizations.
Also in this field, by complying with the obligations we
have undertaken, we shall promote a relation of mutual
respect observing the needs and the right of development
of all the Uruguayan society as a whole.
To summarize, the foreign policy of this administration
taking office today will nourish from the best
traditions that made Uruguay, in the past, a respected
country in the international community.
Respected not due to its dimensions or its strength, but
for its vanguard attitude and its coherence in the
affirmation of ethical legal and justice principles in
the relations among nations.
We shall rescue that legacy and shall prioritize the
Untied Nations as the environment to assert the force of
international law and multiteralism.
In this world lacerated by inequality and hunger, we
pledge all our efforts so that the Development Agenda,
which holds one of its main foundations in the United
Nations Millennium Declaration, shall be pre-eminent,
especially in relation to a Security Agenda whose
questionable results are clearly visible...
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The second reference I would like to make is directed
towards three specific sectors of Uruguayan society: our
young generations, our women and our fellow citizens who
live abroad.
To our young generations, not only because they are our
best link to the future, but also – and principally –
because they are themselves. We do not have the
ridiculous and dangerous pretension of building the
future in the name of young generations, we do wish to
build it with them; we want to count on their hopes,
their joy, and above all with their rebelliousness and
their commitment.
To the Uruguayan women, for whom the “ ... no more
duties without rights and no more rights without
duties...” proclaimed by a worker called Mercedes in
1884, is still an objective we share and assume.
And to our fellow citizens who live abroad because the
traveling homeland does travel, but above all it is our
homeland...
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Among the many peculiarities of the history of Latin
American nations, there is a specially tragic one: the
solitude in which so many precursors of our independence
died.
José Artigas was one of them. Betrayed and defeated in
1820, he lived in exile in our brother nation, the
Republic of Paraguay, until his death in 1850. In a
certain way, that exile was a long agony, a crucifixion
of 30 years that Artigas bore in silence, without
lamenting, without reproaching...
The story goes that somebody went to visit him attracted
by his past as Chief of the Oriental People and
Protector of Free Peoples. Upon his arrival, the old
general asked with a mixture of sadness and mischief: “
...So my name is still mentioned the
