AUSTRALIA:US president George W Bush hopes to spur momentum for a world trade pact and a global target on climate change at this week's Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit in Sydney, but host Australia has warned not to expect binding greenhouse targets.
Organisers expect violent demonstrations at the summit, which will be attended by 21 leaders including Mr Bush, and are staging the nation's biggest security operation.
Media reports that a manual for violent protests was being circulated by protesters vindicated the major security operation, said authorities.
A 5km security fence has been built around the city centre to isolate the leaders in the Sydney Opera House and nearby hotels. five thousand police and troops are patrolling the city.
US trade representative Susan Schwab, who will attend the summit, said yesterday she was hoping for a strong Apec statement in support of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks.
"The Apec ministerials and the summit are critically timed to influence that process with a strong leaders' statement, a strong ministerial statement endorsing negotiations going forward on the basis of those texts," she said.
Asia-Pacific leaders will pledge to ensure that the Doha round of global trade talks "enter their final phase this year", according to a draft statement ahead of the leaders' summit beginning on Saturday. WTO negotiations will resume in Geneva this week to discuss draft texts aimed at breaking the deadlock in global trade talks.
But talks on an Apec free trade area were not expected at the Sydney summit, said Australia's Apec ambassador David Spencer, chairman of the summit's concluding senior officials meeting.
Australian prime minister John Howard used the internet site YouTube on Monday to sell the Apec summit, ahead of expected protests against global warming and the Iraq war.
"There will be some individuals who want to protest against Apec," said Mr Howard in an address broadcast on YouTube.
"I simply ask them to stop for a moment and consider that if they really are worried about issues such as poverty, security and climate change, then they should support Apec and not attack it," said Mr Howard.
Mr Howard has made climate change a major issue at Apec, but has ruled out Apec setting binding greenhouse gas reduction targets, preferring instead "aspirational targets" for each nation.
"The big thing about Apec . . . is that it brings together in a manageable-sized forum . . . the three biggest polluters in the world - Russia, America and China," said Mr Howard. "I believe this year's Apec meeting can make a difference where it matters - developing ideas and putting the region's full weight behind a truly global response," he said.
Mr Bush also wants to begin drawing China and India further into the fold of discussions on a global pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.
Mr Bush arrives in Sydney on Tuesday night and protesters plan a rally at Sydney's Town Hall, with the major protest march scheduled for Saturday, the first day of the leaders' summit.