Brasília, May 11, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva decided to send the National Congress a bill prohibiting bingo parlors all over the country from functioning. The bill will be treated under parliamentary rules of urgency. According to Presidential spokesman André Singer, the decision was made at the political coordination meeting yesterday (10) in the Planalto Palace. Singer informed that the bill will use the same terms as the provisional executive order that was overturned last week in the Senate.

"The President's orientation was to prepare this bill and send it to Congress," Singer said. At the same time, he added, the government will step up its attempts to overrule the court orders that allow the bingo parlors to function, as will as increasing its inspection efforts, so that the Federal Police can enforce the prohibition.

Translator: David Silberstein