Brasília, 7/14/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Yesterday Congress approved a bill for supplemental credit for the purchase of 18 aircraft that will be used by the executive branch.

Seventeen of the aircraft will go to the Air Force. Seven of them will be used by cabinet members and other government authorities. The remaining ten will be replacement aircraft in the expanded diplomatic pouch service (Correio Aéreo Nacional) (CAN).

The other aircraft is the new Airbus for the presidency. The bill for supplementary credit earmarks US$56.7 million for that purchase.

(Translator: Allen Bennett)