Pacific Rim Nations Call for Free Trade

SYDNEY, Australia — World leaders responsible for more than half of the global economy ended an unusually contentious gathering on Sunday by committing to increase free trade, mitigate climate change and improve consumer safety.

In a joint declaration released at the end of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the nations — which include the United States, Russia and China — stressed the importance of stalled trade negotiations largely aimed at fighting poverty.

The World Trade Organization's Doha round of trade talks, named after the city where they began in 2001, "is at a critical juncture," the leaders said in the statement.

Many experts believe efforts to protect farmers and companies from the rigors of the global market are too great to overcome for the time being, and the talks will continue to bog down.

But in the areas of agriculture and industrial products, "real progress has been made ... and our firm view is that the remaining differences can be successfully bridged," the group said in a separate statement.

Before leaving Sydney on Saturday, President Bush called the opportunity to restart the Doha talks a "once-in-a-generation chance to open up markets and to help millions rise out of poverty."

"The United States is committed to seizing this opportunity, and we need partners in this region to help lead the effort," he said.

Leaders at the forum also promised to combat climate change by improving energy efficiency and increasing the amount of forest cover in the Asia-Pacific region. Environmental activists criticized the agreement as ineffectual because it sets no binding targets, only loosely defined "aspirational" goals.

The final statement also called on member nations to "develop a more robust approach to strengthening food and consumer product safety standards and practices in the region." American companies have recalled a slew of Chinese-made products in recent months, including toys with lead paint, a pet food additive containing a dangerous chemical, and unsafe tires.

But the final document glossed over conflicts in the rapidly developing Asia-Pacific region that emerged during meetings between leaders.

On Friday Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun seemed to tussle over what steps would be necessary to formally end the Korean War.

At a photo session, Roh pushed Bush to "be a little bit clearer" about when the war, in which a truce was declared in 1953, could be declared over.

"I can't make it any more clear, Mr. President," Bush said, reportedly looking annoyed. "That will happen when Kim Jong-il verifiably gets rid of his weapons programs and his weapons."

A private meeting between the United States, Japan and Australia, which have stepped up military cooperation in recent years, likely upset China, experts said.

Howard downplayed that idea Sunday, saying that the trilateral partnership is a "natural coming together of three Pacific democracies."

"That's not anti-Chinese," he said.

Anger was more visible outside a 3-mile-long fence that separated the Sydney Opera House, where the leaders met, from the city's downtown.

On Saturday, several thousand people held a rally to protest a wide range of issues, including the Iraq war, free trade and nuclear power.

While the protest was mostly peaceful, a security breach grabbed headlines worldwide.

On Friday, a team of Australian comedians — one dressed as Osama bin Laden — were able to get within feet of the hotel Bush was staying in.

By posing as the Canadian delegation, including having men in dark suits run beside their cars, they were waved through two security checkpoints.

On Thursday, the group was charged with entering a restricted area without justification and could face two-year jail sentences, the Weekend Australian newspaper reported.