Carolina Pimentel
Enviada especial

Paris - As France commemorated Bastille Day, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again spoke of the problem of poverty in the world. At a reception at the Eliseu Palace, offered by president Jacques Chirac, Lula said that poverty had never gotten so much attention in the past.

"It has been discussed at G-8 meetings and the World Economic Forum. I think we are making progress," said Lula to an audience of 7,000.

Lula recalled that Chirac had been one of first world leaders to join him in the fight against hunger.
He thanked the French for warmly receiving him. "France is showing its spirit of solidarity... what I see is that in France there is no half-way democracy, only total democracy," he said.

In his speech, Chirac praised Lula for his efforts to raise funds for development.

Before the reception, Chirac and Lula watched a military parade on the Champs Elysee. One hundred and eighty Brazilian soldiers marched in the parade.

Translator: Allen Bennett