[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
[[Page 1183]]
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.''
[[Page 1187]]
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
[[Page 1188]]
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.