Dilma Rousseff Says World Cup Will Have "Heavy Security" by the Armed Forces and the Federal Police

04/17/2014 - 09h28

President Dilma Rousseff defended the legacy of the World Cup in Brazil this Wednesday 16th. At a speech during the Social and Economic Development Council, she affirmed that constructions such as of the airports as well as improvements to telecommunication networks are not only for the sporting event, but also for the population.

According to the president, "everything we set up will remain for our use later".

The government has been having a delicate time due to construction works expenses in preparation for the World Cup. Because of this, the government has restarted a campaign to explain the benefits that the World championship may bring.

The government has also started acting on another angle towards employing a more affectionate tone to advocate in favour of the World Cup in Brazil. Ms Rousseff's speech this Wednesday was the more emphatic up until now.

Also due to the event, the president advocated for the "improvement of security" and said that the federal government will not "support any type of violence".

"We will employ heavy security during the World Cup. Our Armed Forces () will be in charge of the rear and of restraint. We will employ out Federal Police, our Highway Federal Police and we also have the support of all governors", the president said.

"There is no chance that the federal government will support any type of violence. We will not allow, under any circumstances, the World Cup to be contaminated. It is an important event for the country", she continued.

According to the president, the event is the "responsibility of the federal government" but said that she "would very much like all Brazilians to cooperate".

DETERIORATION

The government has been having a delicate time due to construction works expenses for the World Cup. Because of this, the government has restarted a campaign to explain the benefits that the World championship may bring.

The government has also started acting on another angle towards employing a more affectionate tone to advocate in favour of the World Cup in Brazil.

A Datafolha poll from last week showed that more than half of Brazilians believe the World Cup will bring more losses than benefits to the country.

For 55% of respondents the championship will result in problems for the population in general, in contrast to 36% that are optimistic of improvements that the World Cup will bring to the country (9% did not answer the question).

"We are learning with big events. We learned with Rio+20 and with the Confederations Cup. We are sure that the World Cup poses other questions. Football is returning home, it is something that all Brazilians without exception, even those who speak against the World Cup, will end up in impassioned support for our team", the president said.

"But we, who are part of the backdrop, ought to realize that the World Cup has to be safe, comfortable for the people in the audience, and has to be affectionate in its welcome", she continued.

According to Ms Rousseff, the airport concession that aims to be delivered for the World Championship will be used also for the construction of other 270 regional airports that will be delivered after the sporting event.

"We used the grant money to build 270 airports in this country. Why did we do this? Because a country with these dimensions has to have more than 270, that the country needs, and we are building 270 airports", she concluded.

Translated by CRISTIANE COSTA LIMA

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Evaristo Sá/AFP

Dilma Rousseff attends an Economic and Social Development Council (CDES) meeting at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on April 16