President Balaguer in his New Year message to the nation called for Dominicans to consolidate democracy and defend the sovereign attributes of the nation. He forecast that 1996 will be a “promising year”. He called for Dominicans to strengthen the values that have resulted in a cultural evolution and a climate of public liberties. He felt that the limitations produced by economic precariousness and the deficiencies inherent in a developing nation can be overcome by steady work and the maintenance of social peace. He also spoke briefly with journalists after leaving the Te Deum at the Santo Domingo cathedral. He said that there will be some difficulties produced from the electoral process which he described as “very contradictory.” “It will be a promising year despite the difficulties that will necessarily spring from a very contradictory electoral debate,” said Dr Balaguer.