President Bush isurging countries to band together in the face of this economiccrisis. He says the worst thing they can do is turn inward.
Hesays industrialized and developing nations all have a stake in healingthe world's economic ills. "Nations are feeling the painful effects ofthe economic crisis. I understand that, and so all of us need to beinvolved in the solution," he said.
Mr. Bush says he will urgethe 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to join theeffort, noting that the participants account for more than 50 percentof the world economy.
"We are witnessing a dramatic shift ofhistory as the center of the world economic stage moves from West toEast, from the Atlantic to the Pacific," he said. "Some view the riseof the Asia Pacific [region] with suspicion and fear. America doesn't."
Thepresident says continuing that engagement is even more important at atime of economic strain. He points to the growth in the number offree trade agreements signed since he took office, And he emphasizesthe need to push ahead with negotiations to complete a global free-trade agreement - the so-called Doha Round.
"I recognize I amleaving office in two months," said President Bush. "But nevertheless,this administration will push hard to put the modalities in place soDoha can be completed and so we can send the message that we refuse toaccept protectionism in the 21st century."
This is likely to be Mr. Bush's last formal summit as president of the United States, and his final trip abroad.
Ashe wrapped up his speech in Lima, he recalled his first APEC meeting. It was held in Shanghai, China roughly two months after the September11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Mr. Bush said then as now, inthe midst of a financial crisis, the nations of the Pacific Rim arestanding together.
"The bonds of unity we felt then remaintoday," he said. "And they will always remain. Long after this crisishas passed, the United States of America will stay engaged in thisregion."
In addition to the formal APEC forum sessions,President Bush is also meeting on the sidelines with other worldleaders. It is a chance for them to exchange farewells and best wishesfor the future. But White House officials stress Mr. Bush is goinginto these talks with a full agenda - from discussions of NorthKorea's nuclear program, to the dispute with Russia over U.S. plans tobuild a missile defense system in Europe.