Bávaro (Dominican Republic), November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Fernando Henrique Cardoso reiterated the confidence he has continually expressed in Lula's administration "to make expectations and possibilities compatible." His expression of confidence in the president-elect, especially, is based directly upon Lula's background as labor union leader.

"President Lula has experience in union negotiations and knows that in a negotiation the point of arrival is not always the point of departure," he affirmed. In this sense, the president recalled that when he changes position, the public figure must deal with various challenges, and this implies recognizing existing limits.

"No party controls Brazil. (The president) depends upon Congress, social movements, public opinion, the bureaucracy, the international situation and the market. Thus, he is not acting in a vacuum," he affirmed. (DAS)