Exhibit 99.1



                                                   Citizens Communications
                                                   3 High Ridge Park
                                                   Stamford, CT 06905
                                                   203.614.5600
                                                   Web site: www.czn.net



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contacts:
Brigid Smith                        Michael Zarrella
Assistant Vice President            Vice President
Corporate Communications            Corporate Development
203.614.5042                        203.614.5179
bsmith@czn.com                      mzarrell@czn.com


                             CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS
                       ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
                       ----------------------------------
                           Quarterly dividend declared

Stamford,  Conn.,  May 26, 2005 - Citizens  Communications  Company (NYSE:  CZN)
today  announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up
to $250 million worth of the Company's  outstanding  shares of common stock over
the next 12 months.  Shares may be purchased in the open market or in negotiated
transactions  from time to time at the  discretion of the Company's  management.
This authorization amounts to approximately 5.6 percent of the Company's current
shares  of  common  stock  outstanding  based on  yesterday's  closing  pricing.
Additionally,  the  Company  announced  today that it will retire at or prior to
maturity all $228 million in aggregate  principal amount of its outstanding 6.75
percent  notes due August 2006 and 7.60 percent  senior notes due June 2006 from
cash on hand.

In other business, the Company today announced that the Board of Directors voted
to declare its regular  quarterly  cash dividend of $0.25 per share,  payable on
June 30, 2005, to shareholders of record on June 9, 2005.

About Citizens Communications
More information about Citizens can be found at www.czn.net.


This document contains forward-looking  statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties  that could cause actual results to differ  materially  from those
expressed or implied in the statements. These and all forward-looking statements
(including oral  representations)  are only predictions or statements of current
plans that are  constantly  under  review by the  company.  All  forward-looking
statements may differ from actual results.  The foregoing  information should be
read in  conjunction  with the company's  filings with the U.S.  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  including,  but not limited to,  reports on Forms 10-K and
10-Q.  The  company  does not intend to update or revise  these  forward-looking
statements to reflect the occurrence of future events or circumstances.


                                       ###