Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 10, 2007

Bush Discusses Trade, Immigration with Uruguayan President
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1697504:A6F02AD83191E160C51267D0174C3CCB9574F7DCC14957C0 White House calls
trip a goodwill tour meant to underscore US commitment to social
justice in Western Hemisphere





George W. Bush, right and his wife Laura, second from right, with
Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez, left and his wife Maria
Auxiliadora Delgado, 10 Mar. 2007

President Bush has discussed trade issues and immigration with
Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez on the second leg of Mr. Bush's
five-nation Latin American tour. 

The two leaders met Saturday in the town of Colonia.  Afterward, when
they spoke to reporters, Mr. Vazquez said he reminded Mr. Bush of the
thousands of Uruguayan citizens living in the United States in pursuit
of a better life.

Mr. Bush said he wants the U.S. Congress to approve an immigration
reform bill as soon as possible.  Mr. Bush added that the United
States can neither grant automatic citizenship to illegal immigrants,
nor can it just expel them from the country.

Mr. Bush said they also discussed trade issues.  Mr. Vazquez has been
pressing for Uruguayan merchants to have better access to U.S. markets
to sell goods such as beef and textiles.  Mr. Bush said he told the
Uruguayan president he will seriously consider Uruguay's requests.  He
said the United States just wants to make sure there is also market
access for its own products.

>From Uruguay, President Bush heads to Colombia, then Guatemala and
Mexico, all countries with which the United States enjoys friendly
relations.

The White House calls his trip a goodwill tour meant to underscore the
U.S. commitment to social justice in the Western Hemisphere.  But
critics say he is trying to counter the growing influence of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who led an anti-Bush rally Friday in
Buenos Aires, Argentina - a neighbor and rival of Uruguay.

Demonstrations also took place in Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay
itself.  Protesters took to the streets of the capital, Montevideo,
Friday, chanting anti-U.S. slogans and burning effigies of the U.S.
president.   

Earlier Friday, Mr. Bush met with Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula
da Silva, after their foreign ministers signed an accord to expand
production of sugar cane-based ethanol fuel in Central America and the
Caribbean.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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