SANTO DOMINGO. - President Leonel Fernandez today reiterated the Government’s commitment to apply all measures required to prevent the production, distribution, traffic and consumption of illicit drugs in the country.

In his speech to inaugurate a third term in office, Fernandez affirmed that the recent acts of violence in the country have caused great concerned and constitute a voice of alarm that under no circumstance there can be no letup in the war on drugs and crime.

He also announced the construction of a second line of the Santo Domingo Metro (subway), and a freight and passenger train from the Port at Haina to the city  Santiago, around 100 miles north of the capital, as part of an ambitious program of infrastructure of roadways, buildings and dams.

Speaking in the presence of around 10 heads of State and Government, lawmakers, officials and diplomats, Fernandez called on political forces and the different national sectors to participate in a "permanent social dialogue," to reform the Constitution and the electoral system and to create a Law on political parties.

While the trailing edge of Tropical Storm Fay dumped heavy rains outside the Congress, the chief executive said the country has managed to overcome the adversities and difficulties in which he found it in 2004 and which placed the population’s stability, progress and well-being at risk.