President Fernandez has appointed a new press director and government spokesman, Virgilio Alcantara, former consul in New York City under the Balaguer administration. Prior to accepting the post as consul in New York City, Mr Alcantara was founder-director of the Ultima Hora afternoon newspaper, and director of the Hoy daily newspaper. He is expected to continue with the efforts begun by Miguel Guerrero to modernize the way information flows from the Presidency.