The government will continue to respect the separation of powers with regard to the case against Manuel Chang in the United States as long as it is not invited to do so, according to spokesman Filimão Suaze.

He said that the Executive's pronouncements on the matter would be cautious, so as to reflect its mastery of each subject.

"This is a judicial matter. The matter is being judged. We are following it, as a government, with the concern that our population has," he said, noting that this was the attitude when the trial took place in London. "We're also going to monitor, and when we intervene as a government, if we have to, we'll be able to speak."

He stressed that this "total exemption of the government" extends to other cases of Hidden Debts, whose trials have already taken place or will take place. "It's a matter for the judicial forum and we will respect that".

Suaze was answering questions from journalists at the end of the 26th session of the Council of Ministers.