APEC Summit Gets Underway in Sydney

George Bush began the official APEC programme on Friday morning with a slip of the tongue: "Mr Prime Minister," he said. "Thank you for your introduction, thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit, I appreciate, APEC summit, excuse me," prompting laughter from the audience.

President Bush, in Sydney since Tuesday, has already held talks with Australian PM John Howard about strengthening military ties with Australia; and with China’s president Hu Jintao, touching on strategic issues such as North Korea, Iran and climate change. "He’s an easy man to talk to, I’m very comfortable in my discussions with president Hu."

Russia allays fears

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, flew into Sydney on Friday after stopping off in Jakarta to secure a deal selling military hardware to Indonesia. He also signed an agreement to buy Australian uranium, with some fearing it may be on sold to Iran or Syria, or used for military purposes. But Putin sought to allay these fears saying "We will buy it only given our plans to develop peaceful nuclear energy."

The Australian PM, John Howard, sought to allay these fears: "Any uranium that is sold to Russia will be subject to very strict safeguards". Russia hopes to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region at the summit, with a host of high profile Russian businessmen also in Sydney.

Climate change

Speaking through a translator, China’s Hu Jintao reinforced the importance of environmental issues "Climate change bears on the welfare of the whole humanity and sustainable development of the whole world".

However, he said that the U.N. should be the forum for making important climate change decisions. This will prove a hurdle to what is expected to be the centrepiece of the summit -- a "Sydney declaration" on climate change. John Howard has stressed "aspirational targets" for member nations .

Abigail Jabines of Greenpeace SE Asia says that such a parallel agreement would serve to interfere with climate change initiatives for many developing countries.

"For a signatory such as the Philippines, this type of document would actually not support their initiatives in terms of Kyoto protocol. If you run a parallel declaration that actually derails it, you bring it back 12 years."

Tight security

Security at the summit has been the tightest in Australia’s history, with a five kilometre security fence stretching across the city. Police are expecting large numbers of anti-war protesters to enter the city tomorrow. Protests have already been held in Sydney all week.

Outside the official APEC programme, the leaders of the US, Japan and Australia will hold separate talks, expected to focus on security issues. President Bush:

"America is committed to the security of the Asia Pacific region, and that commitment is unshakeable". It is feared that these talks will be seen as trying to contain the influence of China.

"We’ll continue 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."

Human rights

George Bush also criticised the human rights records of nations such as North Korea and Burma, with the announcement of a new Asia-Pacific democracy partnership.

"Through this partnership," he said. "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 idea has also been floated that India join APEC in future years. The summit continues on Saturday at the Sydney Opera House.