EXTRA: 'I'll know how to honor Lula's legacy,' Rousseff says

Mon, 01 Nov 2010

Brasilia/Buenos Aires - Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff, 62, was self-confident Sunday after victory as the country's first-ever female president who will succeed hugely popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"The task of succeeding him is difficult and challenging. But I'll know how to honor his legacy. I'll know how to consolidate his work and build upon it," an almost tearful Rousseff said of her mentor in her first address as president-elect.

"I'll knock on his door a lot, and I'm certain that I'll always find it open," she stressed.

She was speaking to an auditorium filled with Worker Party (PT) officials.

In her speech, Rousseff highlighted her historic position as Brazil's first female president, and she expressed the hope that such a feat can be replicated in other walks of life including business.

"I would really like the fathers and mothers of girls to look today into their eyes and tell them, 'Yes, women can'!" she said.

Rousseff said her most "fundamental commitment" would be the eradication of poverty and the creation of opportunities for all.

She also expressed a commitment to economic development, despite current difficulties.

"In the short term, we will not have the pull of developed economies to boost our growth. For that reason, our own policies, our own market, our own savings and our own economic decisions become even more important," she said.

Still, Rousseff underlined her intention to remain open to the world, and to continue to demand "the end of the protectionism of rich countries, which prevents poor nations from completely fulfilling their vocations."

"In the multilateral sphere, it is necessary to establish clearer and more careful rules for the recovery of financial markets, limiting leverage and excessive speculation, which increase the volatility of capital and currencies.

"We will act firmly in international forums with that goal," she said.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/351274,lulas-legacy-rousseff-says.html.