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Apec leaders yesterday issued an unprecedented statement condemning the 'murderous deeds' committed against the United States on September 11 - but fell short of backing US strikes on Afghanistan.

Instead, the communique issued by the 20 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders meeting in Shanghai said the United Nations should be given 'a major role' in the war against terrorism.

For the first time in its 12-year history, the Apec summit strayed from its economic agenda to 'unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms' the attacks.

'Terrorism is also a direct challenge to Apec's vision of free, open and prosperous economies, and to the fundamental values that Apec members hold,' it said.

The failure to back the US-led air strikes on Afghanistan was widely viewed as having been intended to satisfy Muslim Apec members Malaysia and Indonesia.

US President George W. Bush flew out of Shanghai after three days of intensive diplomacy with the Apec leaders, claiming 'very strong support' for the conduct of the war against terrorism.

'We are not alone. We have got universal support around the world,' he said at a press conference after talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Leaders had to come to Shanghai, 'to show they are not afraid of terrorists' and to demonstrate 'solidarity with the United States', Mr Bush said.

The US played down the absence from the Apec statement of a mention of the Taleban or terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden.

The omissions were 'not a setback', a senior US official said. 'What we were looking for was what we got.

'We didn't need more from this group.'

In addition to condemning the September 11 attacks and backing a role for the UN, the statement, read out in English by President Jiang Zemin:


Committed members to suppressing all terrorist acts according to the UN Charter;

Called for early signing of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism;
Called on member states to enhance airport, aircraft and port security, including an integrated global Customs network; and
Agreed to prevent the flow of funds to terrorists.


'Leaders consider the murderous deeds as well as other terrorist acts in all forms and manifestations, committed wherever, whenever and by whomsoever as a profound threat to the peace, prosperity and security of all people, of all faiths, of all nations,' the communique said.

The statement left the shape of any future UN role in the war on terrorism undefined.

Mr Putin gave a firm endorsement of the American strikes in Afghanistan, saying they were a 'measured and accurate' response to the terrorists. But he warned that the job must not be left unfinished, otherwise the terrorists would become 'more dangerous and more insolent'.

The fight against terrorism has provided a cause bringing the United States closer to both Russia and China, creating a common ground for co-operation and masking other key issues on which the big powers in the region are at odds.

Disagreements over Taiwan and North Korea were among issues relegated to the background during a week of meetings.

The Apec meeting and its two-day Leaders' Summit which ended yesterday also served as a vehicle for China's imminent acceptance into the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

On Sunday, leaders held informal talks in the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, chaired by President Jiang Zemin.

China's entry into the WTO was 'an historic step', Mr Jiang said, and the meeting had allowed the world to know China and Shanghai better.

At a rare press conference, Mr Jiang said the talks in Shanghai would give 'a strong impetus' to a new round of global trade negotiations.

He said he was confident the region was facing just a 'temporary slowdown' but that this strengthened the case for accelerated structural reform, more transparency and openness.



Apec condemns 'murderous' attack