São Paulo, 4 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday president Fernando Henrique Cardoso criticized the delay in approving reforms the country needs. "By the end of my term of office I intend to put an end to cascading taxes," he said, adding that there was also a delay in social security reform.

Cardoso underscored the advances made in social assistance during his government, mainly in education and health. "It is now possible to say that shortly we will eliminate illiteracy in Brazil," he said, adding that infant mortality has fallen. The government spends R$30 billion (US$10.7 billion) on social assistance programs. (AB)