New York (USA), December 10, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Fernando Henrique Cardoso bade farewell to the international community last night (9), in a speech at the ceremony where he received the Mahbub ul Haq prize, awarded by the United Nations (UN) in recognition of his contribution to human development in Brazil. In his last international trip as president, Cardoso said that he leaves the government with a clear conscience, for having made every possible effort to improve the quality of life of the country's neediest population.

Speaking to an audience composed of UN representatives, the president expressed confidence in Lula's ability to lead the nation. In his opinion, under Lula's leadership Brazil will continue to make progress and will achieve new social gains. "I am confident that this is the way it will be," he emphasized. (DAS)