March 16, 2006
Uruguay to join southern gas pipeline

(El Universal) - 'Not only are we willing to take part in this project, but if we were left aside, a scandal would hit my country,' said Uruguayan President Tabaré Vásquez when asked if his country was to join a planned southern gas pipeline comprising Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.

During a press conference in the presidential palace of Miraflores in Caracas, Venezuela, where he paid an official visit on March 15-16, Tabaré said Uruguay would join the energy project for the sake of regional integration. This gas pipeline stretches over more than 7,000 km from Güiria, in eastern Sucre state, and is expected to supply gas to South American countries.

He explained that Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia are also considering a gas pipeline that is to link the three nations to feed electric powerhouses".