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Australian PM vows to stand by US Bush and Howard in Sydney talks
(about 2 hours later)
Australian PM John Howard has assured visiting US President George W Bush his country would withdraw no troops from Iraq in the foreseeable future. Iraq, security and climate change were on the agenda as Australian Prime Minister John Howard held talks with ally US President George W Bush.
"Our commitment to Iraq remains," said Mr Howard - one of the few remaining staunch ally of Mr Bush. At a joint news conference, Mr Howard pledged support for the Iraq mission, while Mr Bush told journalists he saw signs of reconciliation there.
They met in Sydney, amid the tightest security the city has ever seen. Mr Bush also addressed America's "complex" ties with China and hit out at Burma's military leaders.
The city is in virtual lock-down in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit, due to begin on Saturday. The men are meeting in Sydney ahead of an summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.
Sydney residents had been told to steer clear of the city centre and main roads were shut for Mr Bush's motorcade. Top officials from the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) have been gathering all week amid some of the tightest security the city has ever seen.
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A 5km (three-mile) barrier has been erected across the city's central business district to protect the 21 leaders attending the summit, and more than 5,000 police and troops are patrolling the streets.
Police have been seeking court action to prevent a major protest due to take place on Saturday.
Map of key locationsMap of key locations
Mr Bush was one of the first leaders to arrive in Australia for the forum. The leaders meet on Saturday, but trade and foreign ministers from the member states have begun two days of talks set to focus on economic and security issues.
Over the coming days, he is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with Asia-Pacific leaders, including China's President Hu Jintao. Staunch ally
Mr Bush, who arrived in Australia from Iraq, is due to spend much of the day with Mr Howard.
Early in the day, the two sides signed a deal to upgrade defence ties, under which the US will allow Australia more access to secret military technology.
If I didn't think we could succeed, I wouldn't have our troops there George W Bush
Mr Howard, who has been a staunch ally of the US president, told journalists that Australia remained committed to the mission in Iraq.
"Australian forces will remain at their present levels in Iraq, not based on any calendar but based on conditions on the ground," he said.
The Australian leader is facing a general election by the end of the year.
Polls show him trailing opposition leader Kevin Rudd, who wants to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq. Mr Bush is expected to meet Mr Rudd on Thursday.
'Tyrannical behaviour'
The US leader also used the joint news conference to urge Chinese participation in forming global policy on climate change.
"In order for there to be an effective climate change policy, China needs to be at the table," he said.
He said he planned to discuss the issue with Chinese President Hu Jintao in bilateral talks later this week.
In pictures: Fence builtIn pictures: Fence built
Climate change, trade and regional security are believed to be high on the agenda, analysts say. But he would not confirm whether he would raise US allegations that the Chinese military hacked into the Pentagon's computer network, describing ties with China as "complex".
Australia's security forces are braced for possibly violent protests over the coming days, having launched the largest security operation the country has ever seen. He also condemned a recent crackdown by Burma's military leaders on protesters demonstrating against a fuel price rise.
Parts of Sydney's rail network will be closed, along with many roads, for much of the week. "It's inexcusable that we've got this kind of tyrannical behaviour in Asia," he said.
The fence, through the city's central business district, is aimed at keeping protesters well away from Apec venues, including the Sydney Opera House, where the summit will take place. As the two men met, a two-day closed-door meeting of trade and foreign ministers got under way at a convention centre on Sydney harbour.
The first Apec protest was held on Tuesday evening, hours before President Bush landed. Food and product safety, North Korea and efforts to revive global trade talks are expected to be on the agenda.
Some 150 people gathered in Sydney's Railway Square, shouting opposition to the US president and the war in Iraq. Security is extremely high for the summit, with security forces braced for violent protests.
The police have gone to court over a major rally planned for Saturday, which organisers of the so-called Stop Bush Coalition say could attract some 5,000 people. A 5km (three-mile) barrier has been erected across the city's central business district and more than 5,000 police and troops are patrolling the streets.
The authorities have objected to the planned route, but the case has been adjourned to Wednesday to give the protesters more time to prepare their case.
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