Brasília, 7/6/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Presidential Chief of Staff, José Dirceu, speaking at celebrations of 18 months of the Lula government, declared that "this administration does not steal, does not let anyone steal, and is committed to combating corruption."

As for the economy, he pointed out that the government has reduced purchases, and goods and services contracts, by 29%. "If funds are scarce, you must spend wisely and efficiently, without waste. You spend only on the priority needs of the country. We are spending on programs to alleviate poverty and misery. We are spending on social and economic infrastructure," declared the minister.

Translator: Allen Bennett