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Bush: Australia 'sheriff' in Asia
SYDNEY, Australia -- U.S. President George W. Bush has called Australia America's "sheriff" in the region, in comments likely to spark anger among Asian nations ahead of a major meeting. In an interview published Thursday in "The Australian" newspaper and other journals, Bush heaped praise on Prime Minister John Howard for backing the war on terror and sending troops to Iraq. Asked whether he saw Australia as Washington's "deputy sheriff" in Southeast Asia -- a description once used by Howard -- Bush replied: "No. We don't see it as a deputy sheriff. We see it as a sheriff." Bush called the two countries "equal partners, friends and allies. There's nothing deputy about this relationship." In 2000 Howard sparked anger in Asia when he reportedly said Australia's role in the region could be as a "deputy sheriff" to Washington. At a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders this month, outgoing Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad denounced Australia as acting like a "deputy general" and a western "transplant." Bush to push China, JapanBush's comments were published one day before he arrives in Japan on his way to the 21-nation summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which starts in Bangkok on Monday. In Tokyo, Bush is to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, where Iraq is likely to feature. Koizumi is widely expected to reaffirm his commitment to sending peacekeepers to Iraq, despite domestic opposition, and to pledge financial support. During his Asian trip, Bush is also likely to push China and Japan to stop trying to weaken their currencies, which U.S. manufacturers say are hurting their exports. Japan has massaged the value of the yen by intervening massively in the markets to buy and sell dollars on a whim. Other APEC members have all played the same game in the past. The rise of one-on-one trade deals between countries is also shaping up as one of the decisive issues as world leaders prepare for Bangkok. Thailand and the United States will announce a new trade pact while other countries pursue similar deals which could set back efforts to promote world trade, leaving many poorer countries out in the cold. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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