10 September 2007
Asia-Pacific Defense Ties Have Benefited Democracies, Commerce
Bush urges APEC business leaders to push free trade, energy security
Washington -- President Bush says the formal security alliances and other defense relationships between the United States and Asia-Pacific countries have created conditions that allow markets and commerce to grow, freedom to expand and young democracies to gain confidence and prosper.
One of the most important ways to strengthen the forces of freedom and prosperity in the region is to expand trade and investment, Bush said in September 7 remarks to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Summit in Sydney, Australia. Bush reiterated U.S. commitment to liberalizing trade and investment at every level, commenting that expanding trade and investment "creates jobs and opportunity for people on this side of the Pacific, and it opens new markets for American workers, farmers and entrepreneurs."
According to Bush, one of the best opportunities to open markets is through the World Trade Organization's negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda, or Doha round. (See USA and the WTO.)
"Doha represents a once-in-a-generation chance to open markets and help millions rise from poverty," Bush said. "The United States is committed to seizing this opportunity -– and we need partners in this region to help lead the effort."
Bush called on countries "to make tough decisions to reduce barriers to trade" and to "focus on what we have to gain, not what we could lose."
Another potential mechanism for enhancing trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, Bush added, is the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific proposed at the 2006 APEC Leaders' Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.
According to Bush, this regional free trade area would incorporate all APEC economies and reduce barriers to trade and investment across the entire region. He noted the United States already has bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) in place with several APEC members -- including Australia, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and Chile -- and has finished negotiating FTAs with South Korea and Peru.
Bush called on APEC business leaders to help educate people in their communities and workplaces about the benefits of global trade.
"You understand that the surest road to stagnation and instability is the path of isolation and protectionism. And the only road to enduring prosperity and stability is through open markets and open trade," he said.
ADDRESSING ENERGY SECURITY NEEDS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
In addition to expanding trade and investment, Bush said Asia-Pacific countries must address the challenges of energy security and global climate change.
"We need to harness the power of technology to help nations meet their growing energy needs in ways that improve our environment – and [do so] without harming their economies or the livelihoods of their people," he said. Bush noted that APEC is holding its first major discussions on priorities for cooperation on energy security, clean development and climate change and said these issues must be addressed "in an integrated way."
For its part, the United States is convening a series of meetings in September with the nations that produce the most greenhouse gas emissions, including those with rapidly growing economies such as India and China. The United States also has invested $12 billion in government-sponsored research in energy technology, Bush said.
FIGHTING TERRORISM
Terrorism is another issue of mutual concern in the region. According to Bush, Asia-Pacific nations are using a four-pronged strategy against terrorism:
• Eliminating terrorist leaders and operatives;
• Providing economic and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities;
• Increased information-sharing and coordinated training; and
• Countering terrorist ideology.
Bush highlighted the importance of defeating terrorists "in the battle of ideas."
"Our enemies are followers of a violent and narrow ideology, a political vision that despises freedom, rejects tolerance, and crushes all dissent. Their goal is to impose this ideology on millions across the world," he said.
"For there to be peace, we must promote an alternative vision of human dignity and human liberty -- a hopeful vision far stronger than the dark appeal of resentment and murder," he continued. Bush commended efforts in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to "support the forces of moderation" through interfaith dialogues and other steps.
BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACIES
Building and strengthening democracies is closely tied to defeating extremist ideologies, according to Bush. To this end, he said, the United States has proposed the creation of a new Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership.
"Whenever they are given the chance, people of every culture and religion choose freedom and democracy. In Asia, millions have been given this chance, and they have built free societies that are sources of peace and prosperity for the entire world," Bush said. "Now we must give that same chance to millions across the broader Middle East, who share the same desire for freedom that burns in the hearts of people in this region."
Bush thanked APEC members who have provided troops in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq. These members "are standing with young democracies in the Middle East that are under assault by terrorists and violent extremists," he said.
APEC is the primary forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The 21 APEC member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
The full text of Bush's prepared remarks and a related fact sheet are available on USINFO. For more information on APEC, see Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
