July 30 - Depriving its people of a democratic system in a country mired in conflict means ruining its economy, said James Moriarty, US ambassador to Nepal. He was addressing a program organized by Morang Industries' Association here on Saturday.

"A country's image in the international arena is determined by rights and freedom its people enjoy," he said adding, "Rather than expecting help from third parties, reconciliation among the main power sources is the best option to resolve a crisis.

"Since industry is the backbone of a country's economy, for industrial boom there is no alternative to democracy," he said.

Moriarty, speaking at another program in Dharan organized by Rotary Club, Dharan, on Saturday said that active democratic system in the past decade promoted high literacy rate, development works and foreign investment in the period.

"It was February 1 when Nepal's democracy was betrayed," he said, reiterating that the king and the parties should reconcile.

While talking about the Maoists, the envoy said that the Maoists could never be benevolent socialists but only tried to dictate to Nepali society.

Addressing a Rotary Club program in Biratnagar, on Friday, Moriarty said that America was ever ready to help Nepal become a peaceful, developed and democratic country. Responding to a query, Moriarty had said US had a deep interest in Nepal as the country's affairs impact regional stability. "We want democracy and freedom throughout the world. We believe freedom is everyone's birthright," he had remarked.

source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=47259