Thai activists shout slogans to protest the APEC summit leaders including US President Bush during a march through downtown Bangkok. The demonstrators gathered and marched peacefully. Photo by AP
Linking the danger of terror to their economic futures, Pacific Rim leaders heeded US warnings and agreed to tough controls, but no ban, on portable missiles that can shoot down civilian aircraft. They also resolved better coordination on bioterrorism, called for the restart of collapsed talks toward a new global trade pact, and promised to block "cross-border movement of equipment, funds and people involved in international terrorist activities." The officials from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members wrapped up two days of talks that laid out an agenda for next week's annual summit of world leaders. This year's forum is leaning heavily toward the fight against terrorism even though the group's stated goal is to boost trade and investment.