IMF salutes Lula's victory

BRAZIL: The International Metalworkers' Federation has greeted the victory of Luiz Inácio da Silva - "Lula" - as the newly-elected president of Brazil with great joy, and in a message of good wishes to Brazil's new president said that it was "a proud moment not only for you but indeed all the metalworkers of the world to savour this momentous occasion." Congratulating Lula on his triumph, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi wrote that "the fact a metalworker like yourself can and has been elected to the highest post in your country gives us all tremendous hope for the future of the labour movement." In view of the great imbalances of distribution of wealth that previous governments of Brazil have created, Lula's task will be daunting, but Malentacchi believed the newly-elected president and his party, the Workers Party, would have the will and capacity to deal positively and with haste to the many problems they may face, not just for the workers of Brazil, but indeed for all citizens in the country. "The Brazilian economy, along with the economy of many other Latin American countries, has been mismanaged by your predecessors," said the IMF general secretary. "This has caused great hardships for all Brazilians, particularly the working class and peasants in your country. Your task will be enormous, but given the support of your people, you can only succeed." The IMF pledged its support to Lula and the Workers Party and their tireless efforts on behalf of the millions of workers in Brazil. In view of its strong relationship over the years with the former metalworker, Malentacchi said the IMF would "remain willing to engage with you on any and all issues facing the metalworkers in your great country." Lula won Brazil's presidential election by the largest margin ever - 61 per cent, or some 52 million votes. He will take office in January.