SYDNEY—President Bush has outlined a new vision for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that redefines US commitment in the Asia Pacific region.
The President announced that he would be pushing for a specific Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, an Asia-Pacific Democracy Pact and greater discussion of human rights concerns in the region.
Not since President Clinton's speech at APEC in 2000 has a US president dedicated so much detail and commitment to a speech in and about the Asia-Pacific region.
President Bush said alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, plus defense relationships with Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, formed 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." he told a packed APEC Business summit.
The US President had been criticized for cutting short his trip by one day to the 2007 Sydney APEC leaders meeting, September 7-9, in order to be in the US for September 11 remembrance services and a military report on Iraq. However his speech has established US interest in the region.
"America is committed to the security of the Asia-Pacific region, and that commitment is unshakable," he said.
He said that while the US believed in Doha's ability to liberalise trade and investment, it supported an Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area
"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".
The challenges of energy security and global climate change would be harnessed by technology, he said,
"We need to harness the power of technology to help nations meet their growing energy needs in ways that improve the environment".
The region had also shown great resilience to terrorism, he said, and was now seen a "one of the world's success stories" in the fight against terrorism.
Mr Bush mentioned Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea as countries that would be included in 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," he said.
Mr Bush said the region had demonstrated a commitment to democracy and freedom but there was more work to be done.
"We must work for the day when the people of North Korea enjoy the same freedoms as the citizens of their democratic neighbour," he said. "We must press the regime in Burma to stop arresting and harassing and assaulting pro-democracy activists for organizing or participating in peaceful demonstrations.
"It must release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. And finally, we look forward to free and fair elections in Thailand."
The US would continue to work with nations like Russia, "while encouraging Russia's leaders to respect the checks and balances that are essential to democracy," he said.
Mr Bush said the US government would also work with China but would not shy away from "expressing our deepest-held values that each person has human dignity, and that we believe strongly in liberty".
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