In Brazil, the Secretary will co-chair the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum with National Economic Council Director Allan Hubbard, participate in the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue, and discuss how trade, innovation and open markets foster positive social change, economic growth and opportunity.

In Uruguay, the Secretary will follow-up on President Bush's March 2007 visit to emphasize the commitment the United States has to President Vázquez's Administration and to expanding the partnership with Uruguay.

"The United States is committed to advancing freedom, economic opportunity and social justice throughout the Western Hemisphere by opening markets and fostering economic growth," said Gutierrez.

"I look forward to traveling to Uruguay and Brazil to discuss our greater commercial cooperation and expanding our common goals and objectives."

The Secretary will meet with Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez to discuss ways to deepen the economic trade relationship between the United States and Uruguay. Gutierrez will also meet with Uruguayan entrepreneurs from the high-tech and software sectors, as well as the leadership of Uruguay's newly-created Innovation Agency to discuss regional efforts to foster innovation. This will be the Secretary's first trip to Uruguay.

"Uruguay is a dynamic trading partner," said Gutierrez. "U.S. exports to Uruguay grew a remarkable 131% – from US$ 209 million in 2002 to US$ 482 million in 2006 – outperforming overall U.S. export growth, which was 14% for the same period. I look forward to continuing our efforts to build on the great successes we have already accomplished."

The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum is designed to bring together US and Brazilian business leaders to identify ways to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. In Brazil, Gutierrez will also hold the third meeting of the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue, which promotes and stimulates bilateral trade and investment by developing strategies for improving the competitiveness of both countries.

He will also meet with government leaders and members of the business community to discuss innovation and competitiveness. This will be the Secretary's second trip to Brazil.

"The United States enjoys a strong commercial relationship with Brazil, representing US$ 46 billion in bilateral trade last year," said Gutierrez.

"The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum provides an opportunity to discuss how to eliminate trade barriers and explore innovative concepts to streamline and improve trade between our countries."

Commerce Department sources say that bilateral free trade agreements are one of the best ways to open up foreign markets to U.S. exporters. Currently more than 100 regional trade agreements are being negotiated around the world and the US has implemented FTAs with 14 countries.

Last year, trade with countries with which the United States has FTAs was significantly greater than their relative share of the global economy. Although comprising 7.5% of global GDP, not including the United States, those FTA countries accounted for more than 42% of U.S. exports.

Trade between the United States and Brazil totaled US$ 45.6 billion in 2006, an increase of 15% from the previous year. U.S. exports to Brazil in 2006 were approximately US$ 19.23 billion, an increase of 25% from the previous year.

Imports from Brazil were US$ 26.39 billion, an increase of 8% from 2005. Brazil ended 2006 ranked as the 13th largest export market for the United States while ranking the 16th largest market among importers to the United States.

The United States is Uruguay's third-largest trading partner, accounting for 12.8% of Uruguay's exports and supplying 6.8% of the country's imports in 2006. Uruguay-U.S. bilateral trade has more than doubled since 2002, rising US$ 583 million to US$ 995 million in two-way trade in 2006.

Mercopress

Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, arrives today at Quito (Ecuador) to integrate the South American Community of Nations. The Community will observe the unfolding political crisis in Ecuador, which led to the removal of the country’s president Lucio Gutiérrez.

The Chancellors of Peru, Manuel Rodrí­guez Cuadros, and of Bolivia, Juan Ignacio Siles del Valle, also integrate the delegation.

Before leaving to the Ecuadorean capital, Amorim will participate on the last day of the Third Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies, in Santiago, Chile. The meeting started yesterday.

The Community of Democracies was created in 2000 with the objective of promoting democratic principles in the world. It was a joint initiative of the United States, Chile, India, South Korea, Mali, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Gutiérrez Visa

Ecuador’s ex-president, Lucio Gutiérrez, signed a request for a Brazilian territorial visa Thursday, April 28. The document was analyzed and the visa has already been granted.

Gutiérrez was received by the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Luiz Paulo Barreto, at the Ministry.

The ex-president and his family arrived in Brazil on the 24th. The political asylum request was made when Gutiérrez was still in Quito, capital of Ecuador.

Gutiérrez is the third political refugee received by Brazilian government. Before him, came the ex-president of Paraguay, General Alfredo Stroessner, and the ex-chief of Haiti’s Secret Police, Colonel Albert Pierre.

Gutiérrez and family are at an Army’s transit hotel.

Agência Brasil

Brazil’s ambassador in Ecuador, Sérgio Florêncio, said Monday, April 25, that the concession of political asylum is a juridical act, and not a political one, and that the permit granted to Ecuador’s ex-president Lucio Gutiérrez does not imply on any political judgment or feeling.

“Brazil’s basic objective was to contribute to the social peace on Ecuador. The Ecuadorean government perfectly understands Brazilian government’s position, and I believe that soon the Ecuadorean population will have a similar opinion about the Brazilian gesture,” said Florêncio.

According to him, the asylum granted to Gutiérrez will not affect relations between Brazil and Ecuador. “The Ecuadorean Chancellor demonstrated willingness and firm intention to maintain friendly and constructive relations with Brazil,” stated the Brazilian diplomat.

Sérgio Florêncio mentioned that, when the diplomatic asylum process was finally concluded and Gutiérrez departed the country, protests in front of the Brazilian Embassy ceased.

The safe-conduct authorizing Gutiérrez’ departure from Ecuador was granted by that country’s government Friday, April 22. For security reasons, Brazilian government kept the information about the authorization secret.

The document was necessary to warrant the integrity and freedom of the ex-president until his departure to Brazil.

Agência Brasil

Ecuador’s ex-president, Lucio Gutiérrez, arrived in Brazil this Sunday, April 24. Brazil’s Ministry of Justice will conclude the political asylum formal process this week, with the concession of the visa.

The arrival was the culminating point of a tactical plan not to generate more protests in Quito, especially in front of the Brazilian embassy, where Gutierrez stayed since his removal from power by Congress, last Wednesday, April 20.

The strategy was classified by Brazilian Air Force Brigadier General Joseli Parante as a real rescue operation.

“There were difficulties, but we took off safely. We were only really sure of success in the last 30 minutes. The rescue decision was made by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Air Force, Brazilian embassy, and Ecuadorean Air Force,” he reveals.

Gutiérrez was accompanied by his wife Ximena Bohórquez Romero and his daughter Viviana Estefania. The other daughter, Carina Ximena, is an Army cadet, and wanted to remain in Ecuador.

For security reasons, Brazilian government kept information about the ex-president’s safe-conduct secret. The safe-conduct was granted Friday, but only officially confirmed after Gutiérrez’ departure. The document was necessary to warrant Lucio Gutiérrez’ integrity and freedom until his departure to Brazil.

The authorization was signed by Ecuador’s new president, Alfredo Palácio, and by the Minister of Foreign Relations, Antonio Parra Gil.

The text cites the Brazilian diplomatic note, which explained the asylum grant as a proposal to “contribute to the democratic stability of Ecuador,” and to the normalization of the country’s internal situation.

In the political asylum request, formally sent to the Brazilian Ambassador in Quito, Sérgio Florêncio, the ex-president says he feels “personally threatened” and “uncapable of guaranteeing” his freedom and physical integrity, in the country’s current political situation.

Gutiérrez is being sued in Ecuador’s common justice, accused of having authorized violent police action against protesters who demanded he left the government. Hundreds of Ecuadoreans were wounded during the conflicts, and at least one person died – photographer Julio Garcia.

Agência Brasil