São Paulo, 9/12/2002 (Agência Brasil - Ar) - The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Horst Köhler, after an hour long meeting with president elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday, declared that he was impressed with Lula's vision. "He is truly a leader for the XXI century," said Kohler.

Kohler said Lula was determined to achieve a social balance, preserve ethics and honesty, and respect contracts.

Kohler said he agreed with the idea of fighting hunger in Brazil, and that sustainable growth was essential in order to reconcile social goals with sober economic realities.

Kohler concluded by saying that the Cardoso administration was leaving the next administration a strong democracy, "more so than in other Latin American countries." He said his confidence in Brazil and the new president were strengthened by the meeting. (AB)