Brasília, August 15, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - On Wednesday (14), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva commemorated the approval of the Social Security reform by the Chamber of Deputies over a national radio and TV link. According to the President, the country took "a major step in the direction of badly needed changes." He underscored that no Administration ever managed to achieve a reform as great as the one in Social Security in such a short period of time (only three months). In the President's opinion, the reform is important, because "it guarantees future retirement and pension benefits for all, brings greater stability in government accounts, and, once and for all, eliminates from the civil service those high salaries and retirement benefits that are totally incompatible with Brazilian reality."
According to Lula, approval of the reform was only possible as a result of the dedication and political will not only of the Administration but also of the governors, mayors, parties that form the Administration's support base, and the great majority of federal deputies, "including many from the opposition." And he concluded: "Brazil is grateful for the patriotism they demonstrated. The participation of central unions and the Economic and Social Development Council was also decisive."
Lula underlined the participation of the Brazilian population in guaranteeing approval of the reform. According to the President, the population's support was "overwhelming," despite protests by some sectors of society. "There were problems, which will always exist, especially when you want to change something. Change often means going against the interests of some, ending privileges, and correcting injustices that have piled up over many years. Nevertheless, I am sure that, once the emotions have subsided, everyone will recognize the importance of this reform for the future of our country and the future of our children and grandchildren," he emphasized.
In Lula's assessment, the negotiations leading up to approval of the reform, "with debates going and coming," were very intense, but they obeyed the principles of democracy. According to the President, the Social Security reform is a clear demonstration of the style of a government "that knows what it wants and is resolute in the quest of its goals."
The President emphasized, however, that the Administration does not consider itself "the one and only source of truth and is not afraid of listening and reaching agreements." According to Lula, when important decisions are to be made, the Administration will always "sit down at the table" to negotiate, whether it be with businessmen, workers, union leaders, or politicians of the left or even the right. "Negotiating, negotiating, to the point of exhaustion, in search of the best solution," he concluded. (DAS)
