Praia (Cabo Verde) – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking at the Cabo Verde Parliament, declared "We do not want to depend on arrangements with developed nations that distort the international system and condemn us to eternal dependence on unequal and uncertain concessions."

Lula also spoke of Brazilian support for the admittance of Cabo Verde into the World Trade Organization, saying it was in the interest of developing nations to have a multilateral trade system that was "strong and active."

Lula went on to criticize developed nations protectionism. "It is unacceptable to have millions forced to remain in a state of extreme poverty because of [trade] barriers in advanced countries," he said. Citing the WTO ruling on US cotton subsidies, Lula said it "opened the way for West African nations to be competitive in not only cotton, but coffee and cacau, as well."

As he did in São Tomé and Prinicipe, and Gabon, Lula called on Cabo Verde to participate in a UN meeting that Brazil is promoting to discuss ways to alleviate poverty and hunger.

"There will not be international economic stability or freedom from terrorism as long as we do not have a world order that is more just and democratic," declared Lula.

According to the president, the international fight against hunger and misery has already begun. Lula cited the fund created by Brazil, India and South Africa, calling it "a demonstration of the moral, political and economic obligation that everyone has to participate." The fund's first project will benefit Guinea-Bissau with an agricultural program for sustainable development.

In closing, Lula said that Brazil had found the route to growth through sacrifices that were necessary to escape the threats to fiscal and financial stability. The president said the objective was Brazilian growth that was "sustainable, longlasting and focused on creating jobs and distributing income."

Agência Brasil
Reporters: Marcos Chagas e Nelson Mota
Translator: Allen Bennett
07/30/2004