Bush Urges Pacific Rim Unity on Trade, Terrorism (2/2)

In his remarks to business leaders, Mr. Bush endorsed the call for a coordinated APEC approach. And he denied the United States - which did not ratify " class="hjdict" word="ratify " target=_blank>ratify the internationally negotiated Kyoto Protocol - is trying to push its own plan of action on others.

"We agree that 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."

The president also talked about security matters. He spoke optimistically about the battle against extremists and terrorists in Iraq. And he called the fight against terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region one of the untold" class="hjdict" word="untold" target=_blank>untold success stories of the war on terror.

Mr. Bush said freedom has transformed the region - making specific mention of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. But he stressed much more remains to be done.

"We must work for the day when the people North Korea enjoy the same freedoms as the citizens of their democratic neighbors. We must press the regime" class="hjdict" word="regime" target=_blank>regime in Burma to stop arresting, harassing and assaulting pro-democracy activists for organizing or participating in peaceful demonstrations."