Brazil: "Excellent" Relations to Be Preserved, Says João Miranda

The Angolan Foreign Minister, João Miranda, on Monday here assured that the "excellent" political and commercial relations between Angola and Brazil will be maintained with the Government of President Lula da Silva.

João Miranda said so while addressing press, at Luanda airport, before leaving to Brazil, where he will represent the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, at the swear-in ceremony of Lula da Silva, on January 01, 2003, in Brazilia.

He informed that he got sureties from the future Brazilian Minister of Treasury, António Palloci, on the reinforcement of ties between both countries, during his visit to Brazil.

Mr João Miranda added that the Secretary General of Brazil's Labour Party (PT) assured him that the relations will be good, due to the traditional ties and political "neighbourhood" between the ruling parties of Angola (MPLA) and Brazil (PT), which will rule that south American country.

"The signs that we have been receiving from the new authorities tell us that the relationship will be reinforced more and more", the Angolan chief diplomat said.

João Miranda also said that in case of a contact with President Lula da Silva, he will transmit to him a message of hope so that major solidarity from Brazil's people and Government toward the Angolan could exist.

He said he will also ask Brazilian business people to invest in Angola, where the doors are opened to whoever whishes to do so.

Sources with the Brazilian Foreign Ministry confirmed the presences of the Heads of State of Portugal (Jorge Sampaio,) Argentina (Eduardo Dugalde), Bolivia (Gonzalo Lozada), Chile (Ricardo Lagos), Peru (Alejandro Toledo), Uruguay (Jeorge Batle), and Venezuela (Hugo Chaves) at the ceremony.

Present at the event will also be the Heads of State of Sweden (Goeran Persson), of Guyana (Samuel Hinds), of Belize (Said Nuzio Dangieri), plus Prince Filipe of Spain.

Lula da Silva, winner of the October Presidential elections, will replace President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who ruled the country during two consecutive mandates, from 1995 to 2002.