Brasília, November 20, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Deputy José Dirceu criticized today the dispute over Armínio Fraga's stay as head of the Central Bank. According to Dirceu, this provokes fluctuations in the stock and currency markets.

"With no offense to the public, technical, and professional figure of the president of the Central Bank, it is already common knowledge that the president-elect, from the time he was still a candidate, would indicate a new name for the presidency of the Central Bank, as will be done at the proper moment," he said. "So, the best thing we can do for Brazil is for the president of the Central Bank to have peace to work until December 31," José Dirceu added. (DAS)