Brasília, 6/26/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Presidential Chief of Staff (ministro-chefe da Casa Civil), José Dirceu, says that in his speech at the National Industrial Confederation yesterday president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva did not intend to offend other branches of government. Dirceu said it must be clear to everyone, without a shadow of doubt, that the adminstration is totally faithful to the idea of democracy, and is committed to harmony and independence of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches. "The president made it clear in his declarations that he did not intend to offend. That was made clear. As clear as a soccer ball is round," said Dirceu.

As for the extraordinary session of Congress in July, Dirceu said that the issues to be dealt with are all urgent problems facing the nation: public security, a senior citizen statute, Judiciary reform and, of course, the social security and tax reform bills. (AB)