Brasilia - A Brazilian state governor, Mr Itamar Franco, whose actions contributed to the devaluation of Brazil's currency, dismissed criticism by President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico yesterday, saying he should take care of his own problems first. Mr Zedillo accused Mr Franco of being irresponsible for declaring a moratorium on debt payments to the federal government.
"I will not reply to a corrupt government like the Mexican government," Mr Franco, governor of Minas Gerais state, told reporters. "The president should take care of his poor and his Chiapas," he said, referring to Mexico's southernmost state.