BRAZIL- Efforts are adding up

BY MARIA VICTORIA VALDES-RODDA -Granma International staff writer-

According to the Folha Agency, there was great support in San Paolo for Lula’s recent contribution to the 8th National Congress of the National Union of Brazilian Workers (CUT). This information corroborates the latest results of a poll regarding widespread popularity throughout the country for its leader five months after his investiture and despite initial hints of concern.

Lula stated at the last G-8 meeting that his Zero Hunger Program should be considered at worldwide level with the active participation of the rich countries.

During the meeting, the president – who is particularly identified with work-related problems – outlined an inventory of economic and financial topics, without leaving out the difficulties that he has encountered up to now. These include, he said, the complexities of achieving pre-election promises, although he was adamant that Brazil would once again prosper.

"You cannot judge how a child will grow up when she is still at her mother’s breast, and this is what is happening to us just a few months after the new government took power," he stated, frankly alluding to his counterparts and other political adversaries.

However, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva once again urged increased efforts and admitted that attaining the dream of a better nation will take time, "something that should not and cannot scare anyone."

Shortly after participating in the above-mentioned meeting with workers and the business sector, Lula took part in a debate with intellectuals who demonstrated similar concerns and also asked where the country was headed.

María Vitoria Benevides, a distinguished political expert, stated: "the soul of the nation will return when Lula assures us all that the economic policy is ready to change."

One of the principal doubts surrounds the materialization of the Zero Hunger Program that, while showing signs of appearing, is still insufficient.

"When Lula talks of projects, we know that he’s on the side of the people and this instils us with optimism, " the specialist emphasized.

The latest national survey reveals that 78% of Brazilians approve of the president’s undertakings during April and May although, Prensa Latina revealed.

Amongst the concerns that need to be resolved, economic growth, stimulating exports, job creation, and wage increases appear as priorities. Without a doubt, another of the most questioned challenges for the executive is the definitive approval by Congress (which already has support from the governors of the 26 states) of making pensions and retirement funds subject to taxation.

"The pension funds policy cannot change to prejudice people, but to improve the lives of pensioners. We are reaching a moment for discussion and rightly so, in order to bring about a pension funds policy that will guarantee the rational use of those monies," Lula highlighted when outlining his intentions last April 30 in parliament.

Housing Minister Antonio Patocci, author of the controversial measure, maintained that it was inevitable as, according to him and as reported by ANSA, there is no tangible possibility of reducing tax burdens.

Brazil has an anticipated social provision deficit of $30,000 million USD, implying that intended reforms cannot be put off, so as to avoid an eventual collapse in this sense. Nevertheless, certain renowned parliamentary voices within the ruling Workers Party are resisting the proposal to tax retirement funds and pensions. Once again Lula will have to explain, convince and do his sums.

More oil discovered in Brazil

PETROBRAS, the major state-owned oil company, announced on June 5 that the country now has a new crude reserve estimated at 500 million barrels, after the discovery of three deposits in the northern oil zone of Cuenca de Campos, off the southern coast of Espíritu Santo state, the BBC revealed.

At depths of 1,473 meters and 1,535 meters these underwater wells were detected following exploratory expeditions along the continental shelf of the above-mentioned region.

From now on, according to a Petrobas report, this discovery, together with other areas currently being prospected (Jubarte and Cachalote), ensures that the so-called South American Giant can count on a potential reserve of 2.1 billion barrels of crude, meaning that it now comes second to Venezuela in terms of oil volume.