Bush, Howard sign defense trade treaty

SYDNEY, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush, during his first full day in Australia, signed a defense trade cooperation treaty with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

"Good job," Bush said to Howard after the signing ceremony Wednesday morning in the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Sydney. Condoleezza Rice and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer were among the observers, the White House press pool reported.

The treaty would reduce barriers to the exchange of defense goods, services and information between Australia and the United States, the president's press office said in a news release. It also would allow Australian and U.S. defense industries to share technical expertise and increase collaboration between the industries and armed forces.

Bush traveled to Sydney for the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and to meet with Australian government leaders.