Bush to Talk Trade, Terror in Australia

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

(12:39 PM ET)

By Peter O'Connor

Associated Press Writer

``Australia keeps on playing this idea of being deputy sheriff. That is not appreciated by Asian countries,'' he said. ``We cannot have a partner who is also a policeman looking at us.''

-- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

President Bush, right, and Australia's Prime Minister John Howard walk down the steps of Air Force One after Howard welcomed Bush in Canberra Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003. Bush is making the final stop of his six-nation Asia-Australia tour where he has sought support for the reconstruction of Iraq and the ongoing war against terror.

Image Credit: Charles Dharapak -- AP

CANBERRA, Australia -- AP
Trade and terrorism topped the agenda for U.S. President George W. Bush's talks with the leader of Australia, a nation he dubbed his ``sheriff'' in the U.S.-led war on terror.

Bush flew into Canberra's Fairbairn Air Force Base late Wednesday, where he was met by Prime Minister John Howard, one of his staunchest allies.

Howard and his wife Janette went briefly into Air Force One to meet the president and his wife Laura, before they all emerged from the plane.

Following the low-key welcome, Bush and his entourage were whisked in a motorcade toward Canberra, where he was staying at the ambassador's residence.

When he meets with Howard on Thursday, Bush will thank Australia for sending troops to fight alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite strong public opposition.

The two also will continue negotiating a U.S.-Australian free-trade pact. Trade Minister Mark Vaile said he expected Bush to say that he would like to see free trade talks concluded by the end of this year.

In a diplomatic coup for Howard, China's President Hu Jintao is also visiting Australia this week. The leaders will address the Australian Parliament on successive days - Bush Thursday, and Hu Friday.

The tandem visits are expected to disprove popular opinion that Howard's staunch support for Bush has caused relations to cool with Australia's neighbors and trading partners in Asia.
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2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan