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Bush in Vietnam for Apec summit Bush in Vietnam for Apec summit
(about 3 hours later)
US President George W Bush has arrived in Vietnam for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit, expected to focus on trade relations.US President George W Bush has arrived in Vietnam for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit, expected to focus on trade relations.
Mr Bush has called on the 21-nation forum to put stalled world trade talks back on track. North Korea's nuclear activities will also be discussed.Mr Bush has called on the 21-nation forum to put stalled world trade talks back on track. North Korea's nuclear activities will also be discussed.
Mr Bush later held talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, thought to have focused on Iraq. Mr Bush later held talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, focused on the situation in Iraq.
And he will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, also in Vietnam for the summit.And he will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, also in Vietnam for the summit.
An official opening ceremony will take place in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Friday.
Apec's trade and foreign ministers have agreed to press their leaders to issue a statement on trade in the course of the conference.Apec's trade and foreign ministers have agreed to press their leaders to issue a statement on trade in the course of the conference.
World Trade Organization talks on free trade have been stalled since July, after countries failed to reach agreement on subsidies in the so-called Doha round.World Trade Organization talks on free trade have been stalled since July, after countries failed to reach agreement on subsidies in the so-called Doha round.
Democratic reforms Kyoto alternatives
Speaking in Singapore on Thursday, Mr Bush vowed to maintain strong US engagement in Asia and said a regional free trade area must be "seriously considered". On arrival, Mr Bush said he felt amazed to be in Vietnam given the two countries' difficult history.
But after meeting Mr Howard, he rejected any comparison between the Iraq situation and the US defeat in the Vietnam war.
Hanoi gets set for big day China challenges US at forumHanoi gets set for big day China challenges US at forum
He called on North Korea to seek "a peaceful path" in the nuclear crisis and warned that any proliferation of its nuclear weapons technology would not be tolerated. He said he would consult Australia over any repositioning of troops in Iraq.
The US president is also expected to promote democratic reforms among the Apec nations. "We've got a lot of people looking at different tactical adjustments - once I make up my mind what those will be, I'll share it with [Mr Howard] right off the bat," he said.
"We're not leaving until this job is done, until Iraq can govern, sustain and defend itself," he added.
The two leaders also discussed climate change. Mr Howard had promised to seek support for alternatives to the Kyoto Protocol.
Meanwhile New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged Apec leaders to include climate change on their agenda, warning of "dire" consequences if action was delayed.
Mr Bush also held meetings with Vietnamese leaders, and is being entertained at a state banquet in the evening.
Arriving in Hanoi earlier, Mr Bush said he would seek the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea.
Mr Bush has also vowed to maintain strong US engagement in Asia and is urging regional leaders to consider a free trade area.
He will hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among others.He will hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among others.
Vietnamese disappointment
Mr Bush suffered a setback ahead of his trip when a historic bill to normalise trade with communist Vietnam failed in the House of Representatives.Mr Bush suffered a setback ahead of his trip when a historic bill to normalise trade with communist Vietnam failed in the House of Representatives.
That has disappointed his Vietnamese hosts, says the BBC's Bill Hayton in Hanoi, since American companies are now the biggest investors in Vietnam.That has disappointed his Vietnamese hosts, says the BBC's Bill Hayton in Hanoi, since American companies are now the biggest investors in Vietnam.
Hanoi is also seeking to develop its ties with other Asian countries, our correspondent says, particularly with China to the north.Hanoi is also seeking to develop its ties with other Asian countries, our correspondent says, particularly with China to the north.
Vietnam's strong economic growth mean competition for its affections is becoming more intense, he adds.Vietnam's strong economic growth mean competition for its affections is becoming more intense, he adds.
Mr Bush has said he expects the bill to pass eventually.Mr Bush has said he expects the bill to pass eventually.
He is only the second US president to visit Vietnam since the conflict between the two countries ended.He is only the second US president to visit Vietnam since the conflict between the two countries ended.