Brasília, 9/2/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again called on the public to actively participate in the effort to deal with the country's problems, especially hunger. According to Lula, what the government has to do to deal effectively with Brazil's problems is to get the public involved in the effort to resolve those problems. "In reality the government can not do all the things people think it can do. Now what the government can do is drum up support and get people involved. If the Brazilian people decide to end hunger in this country, I have no doubts about our ability to do that," said the president.

Lula made his remarks at a ceremony for the signing of a partnership agreement between Petrobrás and the Zero Hunger program. Petrobrás announced it will spend R$303 million on social assistance projects that will reach 6 million Brazilians between now and the year 2006. (AB)