Brasília, 9/03/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva telephoned the president of Argentina, Néstor Kirchner, and congratulated him on the agreement he reached with the International Monetary Fund. Under the agreement, Argentina paid US$3.1 billion that had fallen due.

According to the Palacio do Planalto, Lula told Kirchner he was "satisfied and content" that it was possible to reach an understanding and avoid problems stemming from the nonpayment of the debt. (AB)