WHY WAS THE PLEBISCITE NECESSARY AND TIMELY?
(. . .) It is important to note that the plebiscite had significant support from international entities and personalities. We received messages of support from many countries. At the event where we publicized the results, in the National Congress in BrasÃlia on September 13, 2000, representatives from the Jubilee South Campaign (which includes countries from the three southern continents), Argentina, and South Africa were present. [Finance] Minister Malan also tried to detract from the plebiscite, saying we were preaching the calote of debts. Calote means, “I owe, but I’m not going to pay.” That’s exactly what the government has done with social debts. The population needs 13 million dwellings; the public health and hygiene system is being gutted and privatized; public education is in total decadence for lack of funds and incentives; the political will and budget resources necessary for agrarian reform are lacking; land continues concentrated scandalously in the hands of the large land
