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In an address to the Brazilian nation, last night, September 7, on a countrywide radio and TV linkup, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva affirmed that the political crisis will be surmounted by the Congress, the government, and the Brazilian people.
He emphasized that, for the crisis to be overcome, a "complete clarification of all the accusations" and "rigorous" correction of the offenders are necessary.
Referring to negotiations to avert punishing the guilty parties Lula affirmed that he will not acquiesce in "any lower-level understandings."
"Regardless of who gets hurt, be they friends or opponents," he reiterated. The president added: "What is fundamental is that truth prevail and that there be no impunity.
"That the CPIs [Parliamentary Investigation Commissions] elucidate the charges, that the Federal Police investigate them, that the Public Defense Ministry bring arraignments, and that the sovereign courts judge them."
In his address, Lula affirmed that just as his government and the Brazilian population bested the challenge of the economic crisis, "we shall know how to overcome" the current political pinch "with courage and aplomb."
This is President Lula's fourth address to the nation via countrywide radio and TV linkup this year. The last one was on June 23, when he spoke about the war on corruption and some of the steps his government has taken.
Prior to that, Lula spoke in April, when he announced a raise in the minimum wage to US$ 129.47 (R$ 300) in anticipation of Labor Day (May 1st), and in January, when he presented a balance sheet of his first two years in office.
Lula on the other hand emphasized work on infrastructure his administration is carrying out and announced some good news.
"Allow me, on Independence Day, to celebrate an important victory with you. This year Brazil will become self-sufficient in petroleum production. That means we will be much less vulnerable to international crises," said the President.
At the moment, Petrobras has reached an average daily production level of over 1.6 million barrels. Brazil needs 1.9 million barrels daily to be self-sufficient and should reach that point by the end of the year.
Agência Brasil
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