Brasília, March 3, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Minister of Finance, Antônio Palocci, affirmed yesterday (2) that the economy is not affected by the crisis involving ex-Presidential adviser Waldomiro Diniz. In his view the country possesses institutions that are mature and able to conduct investigations.

"The forces of the economy are not shaken in situations like this one. Situations like this are, in fact, troublesome, a moment of tension that arises among governmental branches, but we should remain calm. Brazil has strong institutions, it has the Public Prosecutors' Office, the Legislature, and it has the actions of the Executive. We must trust that these institutions have the maturity, the capacity, and the independence to do what needs to be done in situations like this, investigate things correctly and make the decisions that should be made. And Brazil has to proceed with its agenda," Palocci affirmed in an interview on the "Good Morning, Brazil" show. (DAS)