Keite Camacho
Reporter - Agência Brasil

New York - After participating in the opening ceremony of a United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting, president Lula spoke at a parallel meeting on development financing. He based his remarks on the war on hunger and recalled the Action Against Hunger and Poverty, led by Brazil, France, Spain, and Chile, in September, 2004. "Sixty heads of State and government and over 100 delegations gave a positive response," he said.

Lula affirmed that various countries plan to present the UN General Assembly with a proposal that was discussed last year to favor money remittances by immigrants. The idea was presented last year to reduce the charges on remittances sent by immigrants to their countries of origin, so that the amounts arrive intact to their recipients. According to president Lula, this will help generate income and employment for families that left their homes in search of opportunities.

The idea presented last year is for no immigrant to have to pay heavy taxes when transferring money to his (her) country of origin.

Translation: David Silberstein