Itinga (Minas Gerais), 1/13/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, said that he was "very impressed" by the popular support of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva which was shown during the visit to Brazil's poor regions.

According to Amorim, the enthusiasm and love shown by the public just makes the government's work more important, including his ministry, although it is not directly involved in social programs.

"You can see the enthusiam and the great expectations of the people. That puts a tremendous responsibility on us all. All of us in the government, " said Amorim. (AB)