Brasília, April 1, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - Yesterday (31), the future president of the Federal Appeals Court (STJ), Minister Edson Vidigal, called for the construction of a more harmonious relationship between the Executive and Judicial powers. He assured that, at the helm of the STJ, he will maintain the position of smoothing relations among the three branches. "We must be attentive that the principle of independence among the powers does not fail to observe, as well, the constitutional determination of harmony. Nobody will see the Judicial power sparring verbally in public with agents of the Executive," Vidigal declared.

The first step towards harmony among the branches, according to the Minister, will be taken at his investiture, scheduled for April 5. Vidigal handed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a letter from the president of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), Roberto Busato, with an assurance that Lula will be "well treated" by the OAB at the inaugural ceremony. The protocol of the ceremony determines that the President of the Republic not give an address and remain silent, even in the face of criticisms from members of the Judiciary.

Disagreements between the Executive and the Judiciary marked the first year of President Lula's mandate. First, the President was harshly criticized after he called for the "black box" of the Judicial power to be opened. The second episode occurred last June, at the ceremony in which Maurício Corrêa was instated as president of the Supreme Court (STF). Lula received sharp criticisms from Corrêa in opposition to the Social Security reform.

Translator: David Silberstein