Brazil & Southern Cone - 26 October 2004

“We are not big enough to challenge the IMF. The relationship between Uruguay and the fund is good, and we intend to keep it that way."
Uruguay's José ''Pepe'' Mujica, a senator and member of the EP-FA coalition led by Tabaré Vázquez.

“I believe that these actions by President Jorge Batlle - this gorilla who is president of Uruguay, who doesn't like us - are the desperate acts of someone who is on the way out. He is making agreements worth millions of dollars, compromising the next administration when we are just days away from a national election."
Jorge Busti, the provincial governor of Entre Rí­os, Argentina.

“Clearly there is a long tradition, if you can call it a tradition, of a twisted culture in Paraguay, but that this country has improved its position in the fight against piracy, everybody knows."
Nicanor Duarte, the president of Paraguay.