Brazil Abortion Proposal

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's health minister said Friday he would ask the president to veto a Senate measure that would permit doctors at public hospitals to perform abortions.

Carlos Albuquerque said he would urge President Fernando Henrique Cardoso to veto the legislation if the measure clears Congress and is presented to Cardoso for his signature.

"Due to my religious background, and for ethical and moral reasons, I am against abortion. It is murder," Albuquerque said.

A 1940 law allows public hospitals to perform abortions if the woman has been raped or her life is in danger. But legislation required to implement the law was only approved Wednesday by a Senate committee.


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