Some fascinating things are happening in the South American nation of Uruguay that should catch the attention of policymakers in Washington. If they don't, we run the risk of missing a historic opportunity to re-orient hemispheric relations in a manner consistent with strategic U.S. interests.

Ideally, the nations of the Andes would be parties to a single free trade agreement with the United States that would go into effect the day after the trade and drug agreement expires.

To be effective, a special envoy must have the full confidence of the president, but must also be able to work cooperatively with the bureaucracy. Together, the relationship must be truly symbiotic.

In the end, elections in the hemisphere will produce governments with which the US will share more in common than not. The trick will be to remain engaged with those governments as they tackle the difficult problems of addressing structural poverty, exclusion, and inequality with respect for democratic institutions and rights.

Speaking at the 35th Washington Conference on the Americas, Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, discusses the connection between security and economic growth. Rumsfeld explains the steps that have been taken throughout the Americas to combat criminal activities that weaken security and accordingly weaken the economy.

Speaking at the 2005 Washington Conference on the Americas, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs Randal K. Quarles discussed the vast economic growth taking place in Latin America. Quarles also spoke of the effect of good economic policies in creating sustainable growth.

We cannot meet the looming challenge from Asia absent greater North American integration, or without more rapid Mexican development.