Ouro Preto (MG), 4/22/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, will be calling for tender offers for the financing of restoration of privately owned property in the historical city of Ouro Preto.

Lula spoke just a few days after a fire destroyed a two-hundred year old building in the city. He said the government would help rebuild it, although the owner said he would do so. Lula said that city museums would be renovated within a budget of R$12 million. He also announced that the Vale do Rio Doce company would reopen a railroad between Ouro Preto and Mariana.(AB)