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Politics

Bush pushes for free trade, unity on terrorism

Today he plans to meet with leaders from South Korea and Russia.

SYDNEY, Australia - President Bush on Thursday urged Asia-Pacific nations to lead the way toward a worldwide trade agreement and a plan to combat global warming while also banding together against terrorism.

In a speech to business leaders, Bush prodded Russia and China to honor democratic principles and allow more freedoms. He appealed for international pressure against the military government in Myanmar to stop its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in the Southeast Asian nation.

The president added that North Koreans should share the same liberties that citizens of their democratic neighbors enjoy.

The leaders were gathered in Sydney for meetings of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation annual forum on Saturday and Sunday.

Bush spoke optimistically about the war in Iraq and urged other nations not to turn their backs on their country, according to text of his remarks that the White House released in advance.

"The calling of our time is to help people in the Middle East build free and hopeful societies that fight the terrorists instead of harboring them," Bush said. "And when they do, people in this region and every corner of the world will be safer and more secure."

During a meeting in downtown Sydney, Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed Iran, North Korea and Sudan as well as "climate change and our desire to work together on climate change," Bush said.

Bush also said that Hu "extended an invitation to me and Laura and our family to come to the Olympics. And of course, I was anxious to accept."

White House press secretary Dana Perino later told reporters that Bush had stressed that "he was going to the Olympics for the sports and not for any political statement."

Bush is to meet separately with South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and Russian President Vladimir Putin today and is likely to seek their support to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and to stop Iran from developing a nuclear capability.

Bush also hopes to shore up Australian support for security efforts in Iraq

Stunt brings arrests

Members of an Australian TV comedy show, one dressed as Osama bin Laden, drove through two security checkpoints Thursday before being stopped near the Sydney hotel where President Bush is staying.

The stunt embarrassed Sydney police, who have imposed the tightest security measures in city history for the summit.

Police arrested 11 cast and crew members from the TV programThe Chaser's War on Everything and impounded three vehicles, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said on its Web site.

Cast members put together a sham motorcade, hiring two motorcycles and three large cars on which they put Canadian flags.

Police waved the motorcade through two checkpoints before pulling it over near the Intercontinental Hotel, where Bush is staying.

Cast member Chas Licciardello got out of the car dressed in a white tunic and cap and wearing a long fake Osama bin Laden-style beard.

"No particular reason we chose Canada," cast member Chris Taylor was quoted as saying on the Sydney Morning Herald Web site. "We just thought they'd be a country who the cops wouldn't scrutinize too closely, and who feasibly would only have three cars in their motorcade - as opposed to the 20 or so gas guzzlers that Bush has brought with him."

Bush is a frequent target of the program, as are Australian politicians.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the stunt proved security was working.

"Whatever you think of the humor of the Chaser, the honest truth is they were clearly not going to harm anybody in a physical way," Downer said. "They presumably were, as is the nature of their show, aiming to humiliate a lot of well-known people."

Information from the Associated Press and Cox News Service was used in this report.

Fast facts

The APEC summit

Who: 21 countries and economies bordering the Pacific Ocean, including Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam. The APEC nations represent more than one-third of the world's population and generate roughly 60 percent of the global economy.

What: The APEC summit, held annually, was started in 1989 by countries seeking to promote trade and investment. The focus has broadened to include the most pressing regional concerns. This year, leaders will focus on free trade, global warming and regional security, particularly how to persuade North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons.

Where: Sydney, Australia's largest city, with nearly 4-million people.

When: Bush arrived in Sydney on Tuesday for meetings with leaders including Australian Prime Minister John Howard. APEC meetings will be held Saturday and Sunday.

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 23:33:01]