Dilma says harsh measures will not resolve international crisis

President Dilma Rousseff declared that she did not recommend adopting harsh measures, such as tighter fiscal adjustments, to combat the impact of the international economic crisis. Dilma called such measures “extremely recessive,” pointing out that they had been used in Brazil in the 1980s and 1990s, with negative results, which she described as “stagnation and unemployment.”

“Brazil is doing what it can to deal with the crisis. Countries should move to [strengthen purchasing power] reduce unemployment and protect social rights,” she said in a statement made after meeting with the prime minister of Belgium, Yves Leterme.

“Even with the crisis, Brazil continues growing,” said Dilma. “Our economic growth is coupled with social inclusion [raising more people out of poverty] and technological expansion.”