BRAZIL'S CHIEF OF STAFF SALUTES PRESIDENT CARDOSO, 1998-11-13 (photo)

Chief-of-Staff of the presidency, General Alberto Cardoso, salutes during the national anthem as President Fernando Henrique Cardoso arrived at the Naval Academy in Rio de Janeiro November 13. General Cardoso, the senior military aide to the President, was heading the investigation of a suspected blackmail attempt against high-ranking members of the government before turning it over to Federal Police. Several documents were released by unknown sources insinuating the President and colleagues held a multi-million-dollar bank account in a Caribbean tax haven. The incident has come at a sensitive time for Brazil, which is struggling against a deep financial crisis. Brazil and the International Monetary Fund were set to announce a multi-billion-dollar rescue package in hope of warding off an Asia-style financial meltdown in Latin America. GN/KM