Brasília, July 23, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The president of the National Congress, José Sarney (PMDB-AP), affirmed today that the Senate wants to take a more active part in the discussions over the tax reform than it did in the preliminary debates over Social Security reform. "The Senate is the house that represents the Federation, and tax reform has to do with the Federation," Sarney argued.

Sarney made these declarations after a breakfast this morning attended by 42 Senators from the government's bloc of support and the Chief of the Presidential Advisory Staff, Minister José Dirceu. Among other topics discussed at the meeting were the proposals for Social Security and tax reform, the new bankruptcy law, and the financial difficulties experienced by some of the states.

According to Sarney, José Dirceu recalled the problems that the federal government has faced and asked for understanding on the Senators' part with regard to the public policies developed during the Administration's first seven months in office. Sarney added that the Minister also asked for time for the problems to be resolved. "He expressed words of optimism, certain that, within a few months, the situation will be more or less under control and that, without a doubt, the country will begin to grow again," declared the president of the National Congress. (DAS)