Brasília, January 21, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received Governor Aécio Neves, from Minas Gerais, today in the Planalto Palace. The governor came to request the release of funds that will be used in areas affected by rain throughout the state. According to the Civil Defense office of Minas Gerais, 15 people died, and 1,698 are homeless. (DAS)