He said he would freeze prices, beat inflation, provide jobs for everybody.

"I wish we had the power to freeze prices at $25, but it is out of our hands."

Under the plan, the Government has frozen prices for food, manufactured goods and basic services.

Laws were adopted to freeze wages and prices.

The Brazilian Government indefinitely froze all wages and prices today in an effort to stop inflation, now running at 20 percent a month.

In its retreat, the Government agreed to freeze regular-gasoline prices at about $2.35, which represented a 25 percent increase in recent months.

"If we freeze prices, goods just disappear from stores because producers won't deliver them," he said.

Proclaiming control over inflation as a top priority, the Government last month froze prices for some basic goods.

Brazil's Economy Minister indefinitely froze all wages and prices in an effort to stop inflation.

It has promised to freeze prices for at least 12 months from September, in response to the tough economic conditions affecting its customers.