Rio, 11/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Science and Technology, Roberto Amaral, says that part of the interest the country pays on its foreign debt could be used in science and technology. Amaral pointed out that Argentina has reached such an agreement with its creditors.

The minister said the idea was ethical and in the interest of Brazil's creditors. "The point of the idea is that creditors are intelligent enough not to want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. After all, in order to pay our debts we need to develop the science and technology necessary for sustainable economic growth," he said.

Amaral also came out in favor of continued support for Brazil's public universities [which are tuition free], pointing out that they account for 90% of all research in the country. "The fact is that scientific research in Brazil takes place mostly in public universities. If we do not invest in them it is the same as saying we do not want science and technology," he concluded. (AB)