Mantega Seeks to Dispel Brazil Policy Rift Rumors, Estado Says

By Guillermo Parra-Bernal

April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega said the government will respect central bank autonomy over setting interest rates, seeking to end speculation over economic policy rifts in the Cabinet, O Estado de S. Paulo said.
Mantega told Estado in an interview yesterday that the government has no plans to change the course of economic policy, which he called ``successful.'' Mantega reaffirmed the central bank's autonomy to set rates to rein in inflation, in a bid to stifle ``erroneous reports'' over a wrangling with central bank President Henrique Meirelles over policies, Estado said.
Mantega said the government isn't considering efforts to stem a gain in the currency, Estado said. He ruled out an increase in the amount that's set aside for annual interest payments on the national debt this year, known as the primary budget surplus, according to Estado.