LIMA, Peru — In a last dash of diplomacy, President Bush on Friday sought China’s help in pinning down North Korea to keep its shaky promises of nuclear disarmament.
Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao privately tried to push along a way to verify North Korea’s nuclear declarations — the latest hang-up in a showdown that has vexed six nations.
The meeting came as Bush began his last scheduled foreign journey, at a yearly Asia-Pacific forum, where the world’s economic collapse and the North Korea standoff dominated.
Bush even allowed that he “felt a little nostalgic” over his final meeting as a head of state with Hu, said White House press secretary Dana Perino. It was some rare reflection from Bush, a nod to his ties with the leader of a communist nation that is both friend and foe.
North Korea has agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for coveted aid and diplomatic recognition, a deal arranged with the U.S., China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. But it has not fully allowed outside inspectors, and talks have repeatedly gone off course.
Bush wants to emerge from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, also known as APEC, with firm plans for the six countries to meet in Beijing, perhaps in early December. The goal would be to formally agree on the way to verify North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
The president’s other main goal in Peru is to steady the shuddering economy by rallying more Pacific Rim nations to shore up global financial markets. But even that step would soon be handed to his successor, Democrat Barack Obama, who replaces Bush in two months.
The vast economic downturn, rooted first in the United States, hangs over the meeting. Bush is trumpeting what he calls the key to a rebound: free markets, trade and people.
In Bush’s sole public appearance Friday, he was literally gone in a flash. He shook hands with Hu in a photo opportunity that lasted under 10 seconds. Neither offered comment.
Bush’s pace picks up Saturday in the Peruvian capital of Lima. He is to deliver a pro-trade economic speech, attend meetings of the 21-nation APEC coalition and meet individually with the heads of Canada, Russia, Japan and South Korea.
