Brasília, 9/11/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, says that the Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration remains committed to building a Brazil that is secure. However, the minister warned that Brazil's security problems will not be resolved with "one cannon shot," but will require a series of simultaneous measures. Bastos cited the need to invest in a judicial reform and reorganize the police.

As for the prison system, Bastos called it aged and in need of renovation.

Bastos made his comments at a ceremony for the signing of a technical partnership contract worth R$1.49 million which joins the Ministry of Justice, the Rio Industrial Federation (Firjan) and the state Industrial Social Service agency (Sesi-RJ).

The United Nations Development Program, another partner in the endeavor, will invest R$450,000 to assist in setting up the Unified Public Security System in states. (AB)