APEC Leaders Wrap Up Conference - 2004-11-21

Asian-Pacific leaders have ended a two-day conference in Santiago, Chile, condemning terrorism and corruption, while pledging to work for a global free trade deal.

In a final declaration on Sunday, leaders from 21 countries of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum pledged to tighten security measures to protect food stocks and shipping. They also promised to improve aviation security by cracking down on the proliferation of shoulder-held missiles.

The statement said one of APEC's top priorities remains World Trade Organization talks aimed at liberalizing trade among member nations.

APEC leaders also said they will lobby to have Russia and Vietnam inducted into the WTO.

In addition, they said they would seek to standardize free-trade agreements among APEC nations.

On Saturday, President Bush and Asian allies renewed a call for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.