Brasília, June 25, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva retracted himself, today, saying that he didn't wish to offend either the Legislature or the Judiciary in the speech he gave yesterday during a ceremony at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

According to the President, what he said was that "there is nothing, neither an ugly face, nor the Legislature, nor the Judiciary, only God can prevent Brazil from occupying an outstanding position." Lula guaranteed that he was not referring to the approval of the tax and social security reforms. The President volunteered to speak with any legislator who felt offended. "There is nothing worse in politics than misunderstanding," the President affirmed.

Lula announced a special session of the National Congress during the July recess, and he said that he hopes that all legislators attend, so that the reforms can proceed in the Congress and be approved by the end of the year.

As a result of the President's comments yesterday, leaders of the PDT, the PSDB, and the PFL refused to participate in the ceremony at which the special session was convoked. These parties wanted a public retraction on the part of the President. (DAS)