This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6982820.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US seeks stronger Asian democracy Bush pushed on Korea peace treaty
(about 8 hours later)
US President George W Bush has called for the strengthening of democracy across Asia. US President George W Bush has said a peace treaty with North Korea can be achieved once Pyongyang ends its nuclear weapons programme.
In a speech ahead of a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Sydney, he said free countries should work together to support democratic institutions. He restated his position during an odd exchange with his S Korean counterpart who asked him to be "clearer" on the issue during a joint news conference.
Mr Bush singled out Burma, calling on the military government to free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Earlier, Mr Bush called for the strengthening of democracy across Asia, singling out Burma for criticism.
He also urged China to use next year's Olympics to show "greater openness". He was speaking in Sydney ahead of a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.
The US president was speaking on the eve of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) leaders' summit. Tense exchange
name="text"> Following talks with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on the margins of the summit, Mr Bush spoke of progress on the issue of North Korea's nuclear programme.
Ahead of the meeting, Australian Prime Minister John Howard met the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and signed a uranium export deal. Then, in an unusual departure from the normal pleasantries at such events, Mr Roh said: "I might be wrong. I think I did not hear President Bush mention the declaration to end the Korean War just now. Did you say so, President Bush?"
class="bodl" href="#map">Map of key summit locations We seek an Asia-Pacific region that is growing in freedom and prosperity and peace President George W Bush class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6980372.stm">In pictures: Apec leaders class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6979472.stm">Apec seeks to silence critics
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 responded by saying a peace treaty was in the hands of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and whether he gave up his nuclear weapons.
Mr Bush and Mr Putin are due to meet later in the day. "If you could be a little bit clearer in your message, that would be very much appreciated," Mr Roh pressed.
Doha deadlock "I can't make it any more clear, Mr President. We look forward to the day when we can end the Korean War. That will happen when Kim Jong-il verifiably gets rid of his weapons programmes and his weapons," Mr Bush said, bringing the exchange to an end.
In his wide-ranging speech to business leaders in Sydney, Mr Bush said Australia and the US were united by common interests. The two Koreas are still technically at war, having never signed a peace treaty after the conflict ended in 1953. The US signed an armistice but not a peace deal.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6980372.stm">In pictures: Apec leaders class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6979472.stm">Apec seeks to silence critics South Korea has sought to engage with its impoverished northern neighbour in recent years under a so-called "sunshine policy".
Witnesses said that although the tone of the two leaders' conversation remained light, Mr Bush noticeably tensed during the exchange.
This may have been a reflection of the pressures he faces over North Korea back home, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says.
There are those within the Bush administration that are uneasy at the recent openness towards North Korea following its moves to declare and disable its nuclear programme, and remain distrustful of Pyongyang's intentions, he adds.
In a separate development on Friday, US chief negotiator to the nuclear talks, Christopher Hill, said experts from the US, China and Russia would travel to North Korea next week to carry out a survey of nuclear facilities to be disabled.
Burma criticism
Earlier, Mr Bush gave a wide-ranging speech to business leaders in Sydney in which he said free countries should work together to support democratic institutions.
"We seek an Asia-Pacific region that is growing in freedom and prosperity and peace," he said."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 singled out Burma, calling on the military government to free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
And he urged China to use next year's Olympics to show "greater openness".
Mr Bush also called for a break to 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.
The US leader described the talks as friendly despite the fact they tackled thorny issues such as religious freedom and exchange rates.
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.
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.
Return to story