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US seeks stronger Asian democracy US seeks stronger Asian democracy
(about 2 hours later)
US President George W Bush has called for the strengthening of democracy across Asia.US President George W Bush has called for the strengthening of democracy across Asia.
In a speech ahead of the Asia-Pacific summit in Sydney, he said free countries should work together to support democratic institutions. In a speech ahead of a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Sydney, he said free countries should work together to support democratic institutions.
Mr Bush singled out Burma, calling on the military government to free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.Mr Bush singled out Burma, calling on the military government to free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
He also urged China to use next year's Olympics to show "greater openness".He also urged China to use next year's Olympics to show "greater openness".
The US president was speaking on the eve of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) leaders' summit.
In his wide-ranging speech to business leaders in Sydney, Mr Bush said Australia and the US were united by common interests. Ahead of the meeting, Australian Prime Minister John Howard met the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and signed a uranium export deal.
"We seek an Asia-Pacific region that is growing in freedom and prosperity and peace," he said.
Map of key summit locationsMap of key summit locations
Speaking on the eve of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec), the US president called on members to help break the deadlock in the Doha round of trade talks. Mr Howard said that Russia would use the uranium only to fuel its civilian nuclear power plants. "Any uranium that is sold to Russia will be sold under very strict safeguards," he said.
Mr Bush and Mr Putin are due to meet later in the day.
Doha deadlock
In his wide-ranging speech to business leaders in Sydney, Mr Bush said Australia and the US were united by common interests.
In pictures: Apec leaders Apec seeks to silence criticsIn pictures: Apec leaders Apec seeks to silence critics
"We seek an Asia-Pacific region that is growing in freedom and prosperity and peace," he said.
He called on members to help break the deadlock in the Doha round of trade talks.
He said the round was a "once-in-a-generation" chance and that America was prepared to show flexibility.He said the round was a "once-in-a-generation" chance and that America was prepared to show flexibility.
"The United States is committed to seizing this opportunity and we need partners in this region to help lead the effort," Mr Bush told the business leaders at Sydney's Opera House."The United States is committed to seizing this opportunity and we need partners in this region to help lead the effort," Mr Bush told the business leaders at Sydney's Opera House.
He also appealed for co-operation on climate change and said China and India had to be part of the process.He also appealed for co-operation on climate change and said China and India had to be part of the process.
On Thursday Mr Bush held talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. On Thursday Mr Bush held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.
The US leader described the talks as friendly despite the fact they tackled thorny issues such as religious freedom and exchange rates.The US leader described the talks as friendly despite the fact they tackled thorny issues such as religious freedom and exchange rates.
While the official Apec leaders' meetings are not due to take place until the weekend, several bilateral discussions have already taken place on the sidelines. Meanwhile, police are investigating how a TV comedy crew managed to breach security and get close to the hotel where Mr Bush is staying.
Security is extremely tight in the city, with large demonstrations expected at the weekend.Security is extremely tight in the city, with large demonstrations expected at the weekend.
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.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.
Two members of the TV crew were arrested.
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