Democracy Must Include Peace, Economic Growth: President

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said democracy could not operate alone, but must proceed side-by-side with peace, stability and economic growth so that democracy benefits the people. "Democracy cannot run alone, but must be harmonized with other aspects, such as peace, stability and economic growth," the president wrote on his twitter account on Thursday. Yudhoyono said that democracy was a continuous process that must be followed by obedience to the law. "Democratic consolidation is a continuous process which must receive room for freedom, but must be accompanied by obedience to the law," the president said. On Thursday, President Yudhoyono attended the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), which also saw participants arrive from countries throughout the world. The forum revolved around a theme on democratic consolidation in a pluralistic society. The President said this theme was relevant to democratic developments in Indonesia and in other countries. In his address to the forum, Yudhoyono underlined the importance of promoting democratic values through peaceful means. "Allow me to reiterate the need to realize democracy based upon civil values and by avoiding anarchy through peaceful means," he said at the opening of the Sixth Bali Democracy Forum in Bali on Thursday. (*)