US President George W Bush has urged APEC leaders to maintain their resolve in the face of terrorism, and pledged to fight for the "civilised world". He made the call during a sombre address to Pacific Rim leaders and the annual Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Shanghai.
The day was punctured by the news of the deaths of two US soldiers involved in the campaign against Afghanistan, and also the first ground battle between US troops and Taliban fighters. President Bush said the soldiers had not died in vain and that Americans should expect "moments of sacrifice".
He told business leaders that the 11 September attacks were an assault on the global economy, and promised to fight "to save the civilised world". He vowed the US economy would not be shut down.
"The terrorists tried to shatter confidence in the world economic system, but they failed," he said. "The terrorists hoped world markets would collapse. But the markets have proved their resilience and fundamental strength."
Earlier at the conference in Shanghai, the presidents of Russia and China said they supported a quick end to American military action in Afghanistan so that a coalition government could be formed there.
Spokesmen for Vladimir Putin and Jiang Zemin said the two leaders had also agreed that any negotiations on forming a new Afghan government should be carried out under United Nations supervision.
