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U.S., Thailand boost military ties
BANGKOK, Thailand -- The United States and Thailand are expected to announce stronger military ties Sunday ahead of an APEC summit which will focus strongly on security and trade issues. World leaders have begun arriving in Bangkok amid rigid security for Monday's meeting of Asian and Pacific leaders. U.S. President George W. Bush arrived late Saturday for the summit which he hopes to use as a platform to boost Asian support for the war on terrorism. Bush is meeting Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra Sunday ahead of the summit proper and is expected to announce closer military ties between the two nations. Thailand may be granted the status of major non-NATO ally, making it easier for the nation to purchase U.S. military equipment. The U.S. leader earlier praised Thailand's efforts to combat terrorism, applauding the recent arrest of suspected Bali bombing planner Hambali and describing it as "a piece of really good work". Shortly before Bush's arrival, U.S. officials laid out a proposed new $5.4 million effort to help fight terrorism in the Southeast region, The Associated Press reports. Two U.S. officials would work in Manila with the Asian Development Bank on funding technical assistance for airport and port security, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity. The U.S. president also wants APEC leaders to warn North Korea about its nuclear ambitions, and will discuss plans for another round of six-party talks with the Pyongyang regime. Earlier Saturday, in a historic address to the Philippine Congress, Bush hailed the U.S.-Philippine military alliance against terrorism as a "rock of stability in the Pacific." "We are honored to visit America's oldest ally in Asia and one of America's most valued friends in the world," he said. Bush was the first U.S. president to address the Philippine Congress since Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960. In his Manila speech, he also praised the Philippine government for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo held a formal state dinner welcoming Bush at the Malacanang presidential palace. In a joint news conference, Bush praised Arroyo's strong leadership against the Abu Sayyaf terror network. "There are no rules when it comes to a crowd like Abu Sayyaf," Bush said at a joint news conference. "They kidnap, they kill, they maim. "There's only one way to deal with them, and that's to find them and to bring them to justice, which is precisely what the Arroyo government has been doing." Discussing the war on terrorism, Bush told reporters before his departure from the United States that he understands many people in Southeast Asia, especially Muslims, are suspicious of U.S. motives. Bush says he hopes the trip improves perceptions of the United States. But he also says Muslim and government leaders in the region have a responsibility not to let -- as he put it -- a few killers define their faith or their countries. Following the APEC meeting, Bush will make short stops in Singapore, Indonesia and Australia, before returning home on Friday. CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King and White House Correspondent Dana Bash contributed to this report. 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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