Uruguay President Hears Reagan Laud Turn to Democracy

President Reagan on Tuesday lauded Uruguay’s turn from military rule to democracy, while President Julio Sanguinetti said his struggling nation seeks freer international trade, not handouts from the United States.

“In this hemisphere, the days of dictatorship--left or right--are numbered,” Reagan told his South American guest. “The peaceful process used to re-establish democracy in Uruguay can serve as a role model for others. Authoritarian regimes should take notice.”

Sanguinetti, on the first state visit by a Uruguayan president in 30 years, said all countries will suffer if larger nations take advantage of their smaller neighbors.

“We seek neither charity nor protectors of any kind. We need only cooperative partners strong in capital and technology,” he said.

The President praised Sanguinetti for strengthening private enterprise and leading his country to its first real economic growth in four years.

In his response, Sanguinetti thanked Reagan for opposing trade protectionism, which the South American leader said threatens to cripple not only his tiny nation of 3 million but the international trading system as well.