PERFORMERS PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSED TAX REFORMS OUTISDE BRAZILIAN CONGRESS, 2003-09-02 (photo)

Brazilian protesters perform in front of the National Congress against proposed tax reforms, in the capital Brasilia, September 2, 2003. Brazil's government on Tuesday said it wanted a lower house vote on its tax reform on this week, whether or not it reaches an accord with opposition parties lobbying for more federal tax revenues for states. Brazil's cash-strapped states, mostly led by the oppositon, are using reform talks to get extra federal funds and the government may have to give ground on its plan to streamline the tax system to get it past Wednesday's first round vote. REUTERS/Jamil Bittar