São Paulo, 7/7/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The federal government has laid the groundwork which will enable the country to move ahead on a new road that will lead, gradually, to renewed growth of the economy, declared president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. According to the president, most of the obstacles that were blocking renewed development have been removed. "The road has been repaved, the big boulders that were halting our progress have been removed," said Lula.

The president said that the new moment is not just because of the recent reduction of interest rates (the Selic), or the fact that inflation has been falling. According to Lula, there is also the fact that the government is determined to balance the budget (sanear as contas públicas). "And there is one other thing: we will not raise taxes," he declared. Lula went on to say that there was no silver bullet, or rabbit to be pulled out of a hat in order to reach the goal of renewed growth; just serious work and love for the country. (AB)