The country whose administration I had to take over on January 1 2002 allowed no hope. There was only room for sacrifice, for dedication. It was an unprecedented situation in a society that has an irresistible tendency towards easy an rapid solutions. We all prefer promising words to appeals for effort especially politicians. Without the strength granted by winning an election and, consequently, without the patience of the people who renew their hope through their votes; without the time necessary for organizing and preparing a governing team; without the consideration usually given by the media to recently-elected governments; but, aove all, with no margin for trial and error. That is how we started governing the worst crisis in our contemporary history.
