United Nations Radio

Governments have been urged to include religion in their work and help spread democracy.

The call comes from United States President George W. Bush in a statement to a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on a Culture of Peace.

He says today, the United States is carrying on the noble tradition of making religious liberty a central element of its foreign policy:

"We strongly encourage nations to understand that religious freedom is the foundation of a healthy and hopeful society. We're not afraid to stand with religious dissidents and believers who practice their faith even where it is unwelcome. And the best ways to safeguard religious freedom is to aid the rise of democracy."

President Bush says democracies allow people with diverse views to discuss their differences and live in harmony.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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