Brasília, 1/14/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Lula administration does not intend to implant price controls, even if there is a tendency for inflation to rise. The guarantee was given yesterday by Finance Minister Antônio Palocci. "We are not interventionist. We want the market to set market prices," he said.

As for rising petroleum prices on international markets, Palocci declared that the government will not interfere, "except to assist low-income families." He explained that price supports could be used for LPG, known as kitchen gas, which is widely used by low-income families in Brazil to prepare meals. (AB)