and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE];
National Party or Blanco [Alberto VOLONTE]; New Sector/Space
Coalition or Nuevo Espacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter
in the Broad Front or Encuentro Progresista [Tabare VAZQUEZ]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
Mercosur, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,
RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT,
UNOMIG, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Hugo FERNANDEZ Faingold

chancery: 2715 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Christopher C. ASHBY

embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11100

mailing address: APO AA 34035

telephone: [598] (2) 408-777, 203-6061

FAX: [598] (2) 48 86 11

Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and
bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

Uruguay Economy

Economy - overview: Uruguay's economy is characterized by an
export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce,
relatively even income distribution, and high levels of social
spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually in 1996-98, in
1999-2000 the economy suffered from lower demand in Argentina and
Brazil, which together account for about half of Uruguay's exports.
Despite the severity of the trade shocks, Uruguay's financial
indicators remained more stable than those of its neighbors, a
reflection of its solid reputation among investors and its
investment-grade sovereign bond rating - one of only two in Latin
America. Challenges for the government of President Jorge BATLLE
include expanding Uruguay's trade ties beyond its MERCOSUR trade
partners and reducing the costs of public services. GDP fell by 1.1%
in 2000 and will grow by perhaps 1.5% in 2001.

GDP: purchasing pow