    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
    [Pages 1182-1188]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Summit in
    Sydney

    September 7, 2007

        Good morning--or should I say g'day. [Laughter] Mr. Prime Minister,
    thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host
    for the OPEC summit. I appreciate--APEC summit. [Laughter] He invited me
    to the OPEC summit next year--[laughter]--the APEC summit. I appreciate
    your friendship. I appreciate your leadership. They refer to the Prime
    Minister around here as a battler. I know why. He's courageous; he's
    wise; he's determined. America could ask for no better friend and more
    steadfast ally than Prime Minister John Howard.
        I appreciate being back here in Australia, and I thank the people of
    Sydney for their gracious hospitality. The Prime Minister kept bragging
    about how beautiful Sydney is, and he's right. It's really a beautiful
    city, Mr. Prime Minister.
        Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting the Australian National
    Maritime Museum, which houses the bell from a great American naval
    vessel called the USS Canberra. This is the only American ship ever
    commissioned in tribute to an ally's warship lost in battle. It was
    named by President Franklin Roosevelt to honor the men who gave their
    lives aboard the Australian ship Canberra, which was lost during the
    Second World War. The

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    bell is a powerful symbol of the enduring ties that bind our two
    nations. And I was proud to present it to Prime Minister Howard when he
    came to Washington to mark the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty.
        The ceremony took place on September the 10th, 2001. And as we stood
    together that morning, I know that I could never have imagined, I
    suspect the Prime Minister never could have imagined that in less than
    24 hours, the United States of America would come under attack and that
    the ANZUS Treaty would be invoked for the first time. And in a matter of
    weeks, Australian and American troops would once again be fighting side
    by side in a global war to defend our freedom and our way of life.
        Australia's response after 9/11 was swift and resolute--and this
    comes as no surprise to the American people. Our two nations have fought
    together in every major conflict of the past century. Australian Diggers
    have served alongside American GIs throughout the world. American troops
    are honored to fight beside such dedicated and courageous allies, and
    the American people are proud to call Australia a partner in the cause
    of peace and freedom.
        You know, it says something that one of my nation's closest allies
    in the world is also the farthest from our shores. The United States and
    Australia are separated by geography--and a lot of it--but we're united
    by common values. We share a firm belief in democracy and free
    enterprise and the universal appeal of liberty. Our two nations are
    united by common interests. We seek an Asia-Pacific region that is
    growing in freedom and prosperity and peace. And we're determined to
    help this region become a place of hope where every man, woman, and
    child has a chance to achieve their God-given potential and to build a
    better life.
        America's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region was forged in war
    and sealed in peace. You know, I recently went to the VFW--that's one of
    our finest veterans organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars--and I
    spoke to the folks there. In that audience today [that day] * there were
    citizens who had been called out of their normal lives to serve their
    country in a time of war. And they came to fight for freedom in the
    Pacific. Their courage spared millions from tyranny and laid the
    foundations for America's enduring presence in this region.
        * White House correction.
        Today, our alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand,
    and the Philippines and our defense relationships with Singapore,
    Taiwan, Indonesia, and others in the region form the bedrock of
    America's engagement in the Asia-Pacific. These security relationships
    have helped keep the peace in this vital part of the world. They've
    created conditions that have allowed freedom to expand and markets to
    grow and commerce to flow and young democracies to gain in confidence.
    America is committed to the security of the Asia-Pacific region, and
    that commitment is unshakable.
        The expansion of freedom and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region is
    one of the great stories of our time. At the end of World War II,
    Australia and New Zealand were the only democracies on this side of the
    Pacific. Now, some nearly 60 years later, we've witnessed Japan's
    transformation into a thriving free society; we've seen the triumph of
    democracy in the Philippines; we've seen democratic transitions in
    Taiwan and South Korea and Indonesia; we've seen the birth of a new
    democratic nation in East Timor.
        The growth of these free societies in this part of the world has
    unleashed the talent and creativity of millions, and they're using that
    freedom to build a dynamic and hopeful Asia-Pacific region. Our
    challenge is to strengthen the forces of freedom and prosperity in this
    region. And one of the best ways to do so is through the expansion of
    trade and investment.
        Today, APEC economies account for nearly half of all international
    trade. It's going to be amazing, John; we have that meeting tomorrow,
    and when you look around the table, one-half of all international trade
    will be represented by the leaders at that--at the table. The total
    trade in goods by APEC countries has grown a lot; it's grown by 300
    percent since 1990. Investment in the region has grown by nearly 400
    percent. The expansion of trade creates jobs. The expansion of
    investment creates opportunities for people on this side of the Pacific,
    and it opens up

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    new markets for American workers and farmers and entrepreneurs. It is in
    the interest of the United States to liberalize trade and investment at
    every level--globally, regionally, and with individual nations.
        I believe that the best way to open up markets is through the Doha
    round of trade negotiations. Doha represents a once-in-a-generation
    chance to open up markets and to help millions rise out of poverty. The
    United States is committed to seizing this opportunity, and we need
    partners in this region to help lead the effort. No single country can
    make Doha a success, but it is possible for a handful of countries that
    are unwilling to make the necessary contributions to bring Doha to a
    halt. As negotiations resume in Geneva, leaders in every country have to
    make tough decisions to reduce barriers to trade. We must focus on what
    we have to gain, not what we could lose. The United States has both the
    will and the flexibility to help conclude a successful Doha round, and
    we urge our APEC partners to join us in this vital effort.
        As we work to liberalize trade and investment through Doha, the
    United States also supports the vision of a free trade area of the Asia-
    Pacific. This would be a free trade area that incorporates all APEC
    economies; it reduces barriers to trade and investment across the entire
    Asian-Pacific region. It's a bold idea. It's one, Mr. Prime Minister,
    that we will work hard to make a reality. And as we do so, we'll
    continue to foster our bilateral ties.
        Today, the United States has free trade agreements in place with
    Australia--and by the way, Mr. Prime Minister, it's working for the
    benefit of both our countries. And I thank you for your leadership on
    that issue. We have free trade agreements with Singapore and Canada and
    Mexico and Chile, and recently we concluded free trade agreements with
    two more APEC countries: South Korea and Peru. The United States
    Congress needs to ratify these trade agreements, for the good of the
    United States and for the good of the world.
        I urge the business leaders gathered here to help educate your
    people in your communities and your workplaces about the benefits of
    global trade. You have an obligation--if you believe free trade makes
    sense, you have an obligation to help educate the people in your
    communities. I hope you understand this: The surest road to stagnation
    and instability is the path of isolation and protectionism. The only
    road to enduring prosperity and stability is through open markets and
    open trade.
        As we work to expand trade and investment, we also got to 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 the environment. We need to help
    people grow their economy and improve the environment, which we can do.
    It's possible to do so. And the best way to do so is the unleashing of
    new technologies.
        Under Prime Minister Howard's leadership, APEC is holding its first
    major discussions on a practical set of priorities for cooperation on
    energy security and clean development and climate change. And, John,
    thanks for your leadership on this issue. We agree these issues must be
    addressed in an integrated way. The work we do here at APEC will make an
    important contribution to the global discussions in the U.N. about a new
    framework on energy security and climate change. Later this month, the
    United States will convene a series of meetings of the nations that
    produce the most greenhouse gas emissions, including nations with
    rapidly growing economies like India and China. We're going to work hard
    to reach an agreement by next year on a detailed plan for future action.
        Here's my strategy: In order for there to be effective climate
    change policy, India and China need to be a part of the process. In
    order to get them in the process, they have to be included in setting
    international goals. And the process is beginning here at APEC.
        I told you I believe technology is going to help solve our energy
    dependence issues here. I noticed you signed a significant contract with
    China. Obviously, you're not dependent on energy. [Laughter] We are--
    that would be energy from overseas. And so--and we take climate change
    seriously in America. Since I've been President, we've invested nearly
    $12 billion in Government-sponsored

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    research in energy technology. I believe that's the proper use of
    taxpayers' money, to invest in serious research and development. And
    interestingly enough, the private sector is also responding in the
    United States. There's a lot of venture capital going into different
    forms and different styles and different types of energy, as well as the
    good policy when it comes--good investment when it comes to climate
    change.
        As a result of our efforts, the United States' economy grew last
    year and we reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, we're
    achieving our goal, and that is to be better stewards of the environment
    and, at the same time, grow our economy. We want our people working. We
    want people to have hope. I understand a prosperous society is a society
    which is going to be wealthy enough to make investments necessary to be
    good stewards of the environment. And that's precisely what's happening
    in the United States.
        We're looking forward to working with the APEC nations to encourage
    their leadership to invest, just like they're doing here in Australia.
    We're looking forward to working with ways we can better share
    technology to encourage developing nations to become better stewards of
    the environment. And finally, we're working to protect our citizens from
    the threats and challenges that have emerged in this century.
        Today, our nations are standing side by side in a great ideological
    struggle. In the struggle, the forces of moderation and reasonableness
    are contending with extremism and radicalism and fear. We're facing a
    new kind of war. It's a war in which extremists use the murder of the
    innocent to spread their ideology of hatred and repression--and we must
    stop them. For the sake of security and peace, those who sit at the
    table tomorrow must do everything we can to stop the radicals and the
    murderers.
        The nations of the Asia-Pacific understand this threat all too well.
    You've experienced terrorist violence in your cities and on your
    streets. Violent Islamic extremists have killed the innocent in Bali and
    Jakarta and Manila and in other places. The leaders of Al Qaida have
    issued threats against Australia and Japan and South Korea. Yet for each
    attack that terrorists and extremists have carried out in this part of
    the world, many others have been stopped--in places such as Singapore
    and Manila and cities here in Australia.
        The fight against the terrorists in this region is one of the untold
    success stories in the war on terror, and the rest of the world could
    learn from the approach that has been taken in this region to fight the
    extremists.
        The two most dangerous terrorist networks in this region are a group
    called Jemaah Islamiya, or JI, and a Filipino terrorist group called Abu
    Sayyaf. Both these groups have been associated with Al Qaida. JI
    terrorists have trained in Al Qaida's camps in Afghanistan. Al Qaida
    senior leaders have provided JI with significant funds--money that
    helped fund the 2002 bombing of a Bali nightclub, the 2003 bombing of a
    Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, and the 2004 bombing of Australia's Embassy
    in Indonesia. A senior JI leader and Al Qaida associate named Hambali
    also worked with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed on an Al Qaida plot to hijack an
    airplane and fly it into the Library Tower in Los Angeles, California.
    That plot was foiled with the help of Governments in this region. We
    thank you for helping us save countless lives of our citizens.
        The other terrorist network is Abu Sayyaf. This is a group who
    received funding from Usama bin Laden's brother-in-law and other Middle
    East terrorist financiers. Abu Sayyaf was behind the 2001 kidnapping of
    17 Filipinos and 3 Americans in the Philippines, one of whom they
    beheaded. They conducted a bombing in Zamboanga City that killed an
    American soldier and two Filipinos. Abu Sayyaf was behind the worst
    terrorist attack in the history of the Philippines--the 2004 bombing of
    a Manila ferry that killed more than a hundred people.
        Nations in the Asia-Pacific understand the threat posed by these
    groups--and together we're following a clear strategy to defeat them:
    First, we must do everything we can to bring them to justice so they
    don't kill the innocent. Nations in the Asia-Pacific have arrested and
    killed key leaders and operatives in networks. In other words, they're
    following through with that first step of a strategy. In 2003, Hambali
    was captured, severing the main link between JI and Al Qaida. A few
    months ago, Indonesian forces tracked down

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    and captured JI's acting emir and JI's top military commander. In the
    Philippines, the country's military forces launched a campaign called
    Operation Ultimatum that is targeting Abu Sayyaf. In this operation they
    killed Abu Sayyaf's top leader; they found and killed his closest
    advisor and confidant.
        Pressure keeps the terrorists on the run, and when on the run, we're
    safer. We must be determined; we must be focused; and we must not let
    up.
        Second, nations in the Asia-Pacific are providing economic
    assistance to struggling communities where the terrorists operate. The
    reason we do this is we want to strengthen moderate leaders and give
    citizens in these communities alternatives to the path of radicalism and
    violence. For example, in Indonesia the Government is working with the
    United States to implement a $157-million initiative to improve basic
    education in 1,500 public and private schools.
        You know, when the tsunamis hit here in 2004, the United States and
    friends and allies responded quickly. We did so because we care deeply
    about the human condition. And that response should send a clear message
    that the forces of moderation are much more compassionate than the
    forces of radicalism and terror.
        In the Philippines, the Government has worked with international
    donors to deliver aid to Muslim communities in the southern Philippines
    that the terrorists have exploited, where they're building roads and
    bridges and schools and health clinics and providing microcredit to
    local entrepreneurs. The whole purpose of this part of the strategy is
    to isolate the terrorists and extremists and to encourage the local
    population to join the fight against them.
        Third, the nations in the Asia-Pacific are increasing regional
    cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Malaysia and the United
    States have established a regional counterterrorism training center in
    Kuala Lumpur. There are law enforcement training centers in Jakarta and
    Bangkok that are improving the capabilities of security forces from
    across this region. And last year, ASEAN nations concluded a Mutual
    Legal Assistance Treaty that will improve the sharing of evidence in
    terrorist investigations. In March, foreign ministers from across the
    region held a counterterrorism conference in Jakarta, where they
    discussed ways they can improve cooperation in the battle against
    terror.
        Finally, nations in the Asia-Pacific are working to defeat the
    terrorists' hateful ideology. Prime Minister Lee of Singapore says
    this--and I quote--``the fight against terrorism is a long-term
    ideological struggle.'' I completely agree. We must bring the terrorists
    to justice. In the short term, the best way to protect our nations is to
    keep the pressure on them, is to share intelligence, is to talk a lot
    about where we may think they are and to keep our security forces
    pressuring them. But in the long term, the best way to bring peace is to
    defeat them in the battle of ideas.
        Our enemies are followers of a violent and narrow ideology. They
    have a vision which is narrow because it despises freedom, it rejects
    tolerance, it crushes all dissent. And they have goals. They want to
    impose this ideology as far and wide as possible. I believe that in the
    interest of peace we must promote an alternative vision based upon human
    dignity and human liberty--a hopeful vision, a vision that is far
    stronger than the dark appeal of resentment and murder. And that's
    precisely what we're doing, and that's exactly what leaders here in the
    Asia-Pacific region are doing.
        In Indonesia, President Yudhoyono hosted an interfaith dialog soon
    after taking office where he called on his fellow citizens to ensure
    that, quote, ``the forces of light and reason and hope overpower the
    forces of darkness, despair, and violence.'' The head of the largest
    Muslim organization, Dr. Hasyim Muzadi, was one of the first Muslim
    leaders to visit Ground Zero in New York. And here's what he said:
    ``There is no violence, cruelty, chaos, or viciousness on behalf of
    religion, including Islam.''
        In Malaysia, Prime Minister Badawi is working to promote what he
    calls ``Islam Hadhari''--or ``Civilization Islam.'' He's called on his
    fellow Malaysians to, quote, ``show by example that a Muslim country can
    be modern and democratic and tolerant and economically competitive.''

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        In the Philippines, President Arroyo has reached out to Muslim
    leaders and has called the Filipinos to oppose, quote, ``terrorists who
    kill, bomb, and maim to enforce an ideology of evil.'' A group of
    leading Filipino Islamic jurists issued a joint sermon declaring, quote,
    ``Islam and terrorism stand on the opposite ends of the moral spectrum.
    Murder and the killing of innocent civilians in warfare is strictly
    forbidden.''
        These and other efforts are making a difference. And there's fertile
    ground to do so, because, you see, the vast majority of citizens in this
    region and around the world reject extremism. They want to live in
    peace. They want to live in freedom. And it's in the interests of the
    United States to actively support these forces of moderation, and we
    will do so.
        Freedom has transformed this region. If you really think about the
    past, it's amazing what has transpired here. Freedom is transformative.
    Freedom is a powerful force. There's more work to be done here. We must
    work for the day when the people of North Korea enjoy the same freedoms
    as the citizens of their democratic neighbors. We must press the regime
    in Burma to stop arresting and harassing and assaulting prodemocracy
    activists for organizing or participating in peaceful demonstrations.
    The Burmese regime must release these activists immediately. It must
    stop its intimidation of these citizens who are promoting democracy and
    human rights. It must release all political prisoners, including Aung
    San Suu Kyi.
        We'll continue to work with nations like Russia to advance our
    shared interests while encouraging Russia's leaders to respect the
    checks and balances that are essential to democracy. We'll encourage to
    work with China, but as we do so, we'll never shy away from expressing
    our deepest-held values that each person has human dignity, and that we
    believe strongly in liberty. You know, China will be the host of the
    Olympic Games; I'm looking forward to going. And it's going to be a
    great moment of pride for the Chinese people. It will also be a moment
    where China's leaders can use this opportunity to show confidence by
    demonstrating a commitment to greater openness and tolerance.
        And finally, we look forward to free and fair elections in Thailand.
        APEC nations are supporting the advance of freedom in this region.
    Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore helped lead the effort to include
    democratic and human rights principles in the ASEAN Charter. Japan has
    incorporated democracy and governance programs into its official
    development assistance. South Korea hosted an historic gathering of the
    world's free nations, the Community of Democracies summit. These are
    important steps--and now we must build on them by forging new regional
    institutions to encourage the continued expansion of freedom in this
    vital part of the world. And so this week, the United States is
    proposing the creation of a new Asia-Pacific democracy partnership.
    Through this partnership, free nations will work together to support
    democratic values, strengthen democratic institutions, and assist those
    who are working to build and sustain free societies across the Asia-
    Pacific region.
        The lesson of freedom's advance in the Asia-Pacific region is this:
    The desire for liberty is universal, written by our Creator into the
    hearts of every man, woman, and child. Whenever they're given a chance,
    whenever they're given an opportunity, the people of every culture and
    every religion choose freedom over oppression. In Asia, millions have
    been given this chance, and they built free societies that are sources
    of peace and prosperity. And 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 of this region.
        I want to thank the APEC nations who are standing with young
    democracies in the Middle East that are under assault by the terrorists
    and extremists. In Afghanistan, forces from Australia and Canada and
    South Korea and New Zealand and Singapore are helping the Afghan people
    build a free nation and stopping the Taliban and the Al Qaida from
    returning to intimidate the innocent. In Lebanon, forces from Indonesia
    and Malaysia and South Korea and China are serving as part of the United
    Nations force that's helping bring stability to a free nation that is
    threatened by radical regimes and terrorist

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    violence. And in Iraq, personnel from Australia and Japan and South
    Korea are helping Iraq's democratically elected Government rebuild from
    the rubble of tyranny. We're working hard to stop Al Qaida from turning
    that country into a safe haven.
        You may have heard, on my way down here I stopped in Iraq--stopped
    in Anbar Province. Anbar was an Al Qaida stronghold. Their leaders of Al
    Qaida had announced that they were going to establish a safe haven from
    which to launch further attacks on my nation--for starters. It was a
    part of Iraq that was dangerous, and the truth of the matter is, the a
    lot of the experts in my country had said was lost to Al Qaida.
        I went there because Al Qaida has lost Anbar. The opposite happened.
    Anbar is a Sunni Province that once had people joining Al Qaida; they're
    now turning against Al Qaida. Why? Because people don't want to follow a
    dark vision. People want to live in hope. Moms around the world share
    the same deep desire, and that is for their children to grow up in peace
    and in hopeful societies.
        And so the sheikhs there and the local folks turned against Al
    Qaida. And they asked for help, and we're giving it to them. And we're
    driving Al Qaida out of their strongholds. And we're giving people a
    chance to live in peace. And I was proud to go there.
        By the way, the same security situation in Anbar is being replicated
    throughout parts of the country. By providing security we're creating
    conditions that allow people to reconcile. It's hard for people to come
    together after years of tyranny, particularly since the brutal dictator
    did all he could to divide society in order to stay in power. Those of
    us who live in the comfort of free societies--it's hard to imagine what
    it is like to recover--psychologically recover from life under a thug
    like Saddam Hussein. But that's what's happening. And they need time to
    do so. And they need the security necessary to do so.
        We're giving this young democracy the chance. It's in our interest
    to do so because, as John Howard accurately noted when he went to thank
    the Australian troops there last year--here's what he said, he said,
    ``If we leave before the job is done--if we leave Iraq before the job is
    done, it would represent a devastating blow to the hopes of a stable
    future for the Middle East. It would embolden the Iranians. They would
    unsettle and destabilize the more moderate elements amongst the Arab
    states in the region, and it would represent a monumental victory for
    the cause of international terrorism.'' The Prime Minister says: ``What
    Iraq and her people now need is time, not a timetable. They seek our
    patience, not political posturing. They require resolve, not our
    retreat.''
        We're going to succeed in Iraq. If given a chance, liberty will
    succeed every time and liberty will help yield the peace we need.
        This is the calling of our time, by the way. This is what leaders
    have been called to do, is to be able to see over the horizon and
    envision a peaceful future. This is hard work we're doing, but it's the
    kind of work we've done before. We've done this kind of work in East
    Asia before. East Asia used to be a region of turmoil and danger, and
    today, it's a region of peace and hope and opportunity. With resolve and
    strength of conviction, the same thing will happen in the Middle East.
    And when they look back at this period, Mr. Prime Minister, they'll say:
    Job well done.
        I'm honored to be here on the soil of an ally like Australia. We
    share values; we share vision; and we share resolve to not only protect
    our people but to spread the peace. God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:05 a.m. at the Sydney Opera House. In his
    remarks, he referred to Prime Minister John Howard of Australia; Khalid
    Sheikh Mohammed, senior Al Qaida leader responsible for the September
    11, 2001, terrorist attack, who was captured in Karachi, Pakistan, on
    March 1, 2003; Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist
    organization; and Zarkasih (also known as Mbah), acting emir, and Abu
    Dujana, military leader, Jemaah Islamiya terrorist organization, both
    captured on the island of Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 9.