Two phases for compact U(1) pure gauge theory in three dimensions

We show that if actions more general than the usual simple plaquette action (\sim F_{\mu\nu}^2) are considered, then compact U(1) {\sl pure} gauge theory in three Euclidean dimensions can have two phases. Both phases are confining phases, however in one phase the monopole condensate spontaneously `magnetizes'. For a certain range of parameters the phase transition is continuous, allowing the definition of a strong coupling continuum limit. We note that these observations have relevance to the `fictitious' gauge field theories of strongly correlated electron systems, such as those describing high-T_c superconductors