Ambassador Gfoeller – Remarks for Visit to Freedom House Printing Press

February 24, 2011.

I would like to thank you all for coming out here today to visit this printing press and to better appreciate the important role that it plays in Kyrgyzstan. 

Freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of a functioning democracy.  When journalists are able to operate freely, they play an essential role in society.  They shed light on and bring transparency to the workings of the government and its leadership and they hold leaders accountable for their actions and for fulfilling their duties to the society as a whole.  Freedom of the press is a precious commodity and we all must work together to help guarantee it. 

Interestingly, I have a personal connection to this printing house.  I was working in the State Department's office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the time when we, hand in hand with Freedom House, established it. At that time, we made a commitment to stand by it.  And we have.  At various times individuals have sought to shut down this printing press and worked successfully to prevent that. 

We deeply appreciate that important role that this institution has played in the past and continues to play now and we look forward to many more years of cooperation in the decades to come. 

Again, thank you for coming here today.