Brasília,5/13/2004(Agência Brasil) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is reported to be adamant: he will not back down from the decision to revoke the temporary visa of New York Times reporter, Larry Rohter (which means the journalist will have to leave the country). According to presidential spokesman, Andre Singer, in spite of the negative reaction, the decision stands. "The Brazilian government is not going to reverse its position on this matter. We have solid, strong, well-thought-out reasons. It is our responsibility to defend Brazil," declared Singer.

Rohter was the author of an article that appeared in the May 9 New York Times claiming that Lula's drinking had become a reason for national concern in Brazil.

Singer made it clear that the government's action against Rohter did not mean the government was moving against freedom of the press in general. "We have an ironclad commitment to freedom of the press," declared the presidential spokesman, adding that it was the refusal of the NY Times to make a retraction that caused the government to do what it did. "The government has to respond in kind. If the New York Times had done something, it is possible the government would not have taken the action it did," said Singer.

In other comments on the case, Singer explained that there were absolutely no restrictions on the New York Times. "As a matter of fact, they can send a replacement for Rohter whenever they want to," he said.

In conclusion, Singer said that the article had an enormous negative impact on the Brazilian government and that the decision to expel Rohter was not a spur of the moment decision. "The article was offensive to the president and Brazil. It was not based on facts. It was gratuitous," he said.

Translator: Allen Bennett