Prague, 4 May 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Czech President Vaclav Havel, members of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's supervisory council, and hundreds of current and former employees attended a ceremony at the company's Prague headquarters celebrating the 50th anniversary of RFE/RL broadcasting operations. Havel said RFE/RL continues to play a valuable role in the countries to which it broadcasts. "(RFE/RL) is maintaining a high measure of professional journalism, independence, political commentary displaying an analytical overview, (and) adherence to facts."
Messages of congratulations were sent by Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, Estonian President Lennart Meri, and U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Messages of congratulations were sent by Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, Estonian President Lennart Meri, and U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell.