[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.''

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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.