Leonel says Diario Libre strengthens democracy and plurality

SANTO DOMINGO. President Leonel Fernandez congratulated the Diario Libre on its eleventh anniversary, saying that the newspaper occupies a predominant place in Dominican society which is now accustomed to its valuable and attractive way of presenting the news.

The Chief of State said that he understands that the philosophy which guides the work of the Diario Libre has placed the paper in a notable position with the media of our country and of other nations.

"We appreciate the fact that the distinguished media practices journalism based on ethical and democratic principles and that each day it provides something to the strengthening of the institutions and to the advancement of pluralism of ideas which prevail in our country," said Fernandez in a letter sent to the director Adriano Miguel Tejada.

The President stresses that he has seen with admiration that under the leadership of Tejada this newspaper has carried out a enviable labor which promotes the development of education and stimulates compromise and tolerance.

Together with the President, officials from diverse areas of the state, entities and private companies have come together to congratulate and celebrate the eleventh anniversary of the Diario Libre.

The president of the Judicial System and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mariano German Mejia, stresses the merits and the daily creative and dynamic presentation of the Diario Libre, which with its persistent work has achieved a level of journalism that is worthy of being praised.

The chief of staff of the National Army, Major General Pedro Caceres Chestaro, said that it was fair to recognize the important role played the media, which since its beginning has become an impartial tribune of all schools of thought.

For the Attorney General of the Republic, Radhames Jimenez Peña, the celebration of one more year with such great success can be added to the work of contributing to the Institutionalism and democracy of the Dominican people.

The Minister of Foreign Relations, Carlos Morales Troncoso, stressed the fact that the Diario Libre informs, educates and entertains in a brilliant fashion and never stops innovating in its proposals for communicating to our society.

Congratulations were also received by Diario Libre from the rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Mateo Aquimo Febrillet; the director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, Alejandro Herrera; the general manager of the National Council for Social Security, Rafael Perez Modesto; the director of the National Institute for Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), Frank Rodriguez and the director of the Specialized Corps for Airport Security (CESA), General Zenon Antonio Padilla.

From the private sector, the executive vice-president of the Cibao Savings and Loan Association, Rafael Genao Arias, said that the newspaper has fulfilled the valuable role of reaching the greatest number of people with up to date and factual information through it free distribution.

For Oliver Bojos, the director general for American Airlines, the Diario Libre has established a milestone in the history of our country and has conquered the democratic distribution of information.

Also sending best wishes were Albert C. Staffield of Staffield & Co., Phillip Morris and its director of Corporate Affairs, Manuel Cabral; Ricardo Hernandez Marchena, the executive president of Cartonera Rierba and the president of the Tropicalia Foundation, William. R. Phel