Bush addresses Australian parliament
President Bush has given a speech to the Australian Parliament as part of his tour of Asia and the Pacific Rim.
The United States president thanked Australia for its role in the Iraq war and for its help in the fight against terrorism.
‘America, Australia and other nations acted in Iraq to remove a grave and gathering danger, instead of wishing and waiting while tragedy drew closer,’ he said.
He stated that America and Australia share a ‘special responsibility’ for keeping peace in the Pacific region. His speech also covered the issues of North Korea and the ‘ideals of democracy and freedom’.
President Bush’s visit has not gone completely smoothly – his speech was heckled twice by opposition MPs who defied a parliamentary official’s order to leave the chamber. Several thousand protestors also gathered outside, watched over by an exceptionally high police presence.
During his trip Mr Bush has also visited Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
