Oxford, November 14, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, speaking at the University of Oxford yesterday, declared that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is going to inherit a solid base for the defense of a just and symmetrical hemispheric integration. Cardoso added that Brazil must insist on Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations which result in meeting the needs of the whole hemisphere. "The groundwork has been prepared which will permit my successor to protect Brazil's national interests," said Cardoso. (AB)