Feira de Santana, 9/15/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was in Bahia on Friday to inaugurate a Pirelli tire factory. During the ceremony he declared that Brazil will calmly examine its relationship with the International Monetary Fund and make an unhurried decision on whether or not to renew its agreement with the fund. "We want to do the right thing. We have to see if a new agreement is worth it or not," said the president.

Lula added that the issue would get an unbiased examination. "What matters is what is in the interests of Brazil and its development," said Lula. (AB)