SHANGHAI - President Bush won broad backing from a Pacific Rim summit Sunday for his war on terrorism, but Russia went further with a full vote of confidence in U.S.-led attacks against Afghanistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lined up as one of the staunchest supporters of Bush at a summit of the 21-member Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) forum in the glittering financial heart of Shanghai.

After the summit - a carefully-scripted display of camaraderie with leaders sporting bright silk jackets tailored by their Chinese hosts - Bush and Putin got down to serious business in a 90 minute meeting that also produced progress on missile defense.

A summit declaration stopped short of endorsing military action in Afghanistan, or naming Saudi-born fugitive Osama bin Laden, whom Washington considers the prime suspect behind the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

But it said leaders "unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms" the hijack attacks, which rocked the U.S. economy and sent tremors through Asian nations that rely on U.S. export markets.

Bush emerged from the meeting with Putin filled with praise for the Russian president, who he said had been the first to call after the attacks.

"That's what a friend does - he calls in time of need. And he called," Bush said at a joint news conference before heading home after his first official visit to China.

Putin described U.S. action in Afghanistan as "measured and adequate," heartening words for Bush at a meeting that has heard misgivings from predominantly Muslim Indonesia and Malaysia over mounting civilian casualties.

And Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda warned of explosive consequences if the campaign in Afghanistan stretched into the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which starts in about four weeks.

Bush and Putin reported headway in talks on the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which Washington wants to scrap so it can build a missile shield against rogue rockets. They also discussed significant cuts in nuclear weapons, without getting down to details.

There was also specific agreement on cooperation to prevent nuclear, biological and chemical weapons being used for terrorism and to stop money funding those involved.

A U.S. official insisted Washington was "thrilled" by APEC's statement on terrorism, the first-ever political stand taken by a group set up to promote free trade and investment.

"We came in here hoping to strengthen the war on terrorism, and we did so," said a senior U.S. official.

He told reporters it was "not a setback at all" that there was no mention of the bombing or bin Laden. "We're thrilled with this statement," he said, adding that it "does everything we wanted it to."

After expressing deepest sympathy to the United States, APEC's anti-terrorism declaration called for "increased cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice," stronger language than in early drafts. It also pledged a coordinated crackdown on groups involved in terrorism by choking off their funds, stepping up electronic surveillance of travelers and tightening customs controls.

And the statement pledged tougher security at airports and ports and on board aircraft.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin also offered resolute words after the summit.

"We condemned in the strongest terms the attacks as an affront to peace, prosperity and the security of all people, of all faiths, of every nation," he said.

The Chinese leader, who spoke in English, was wearing a crimson silk jacket. Behind him stood the other APEC leaders, all in similar embroidered jackets in vivid red, blue, brown or green.

On day two of APEC summits, leaders traditionally wear a jacket or shirt reflecting the host country's culture and style.

After three days of whirlwind diplomacy in Shanghai, Bush said China and Russia had both offered help on intelligence in the war on terrorism. Russia had also opened its airspace for flights carrying humanitarian assistance, he said.

There was no breakthrough on the issue of the ABM treaty. Russia wants to keep the treaty, viewing it as a cornerstone of strategic stability, although there have been signs of a compromise involving deep missile cuts in return.
Nevertheless, Putin said he believed an agreement was in sight.

"At least I believe we do have understanding that we can reach agreement taking into account national interests of Russia and the United States and taking into account the necessity to strengthen international stability in this very important area."

Bush again described the treaty as outmoded, although he stopped short of saying he had served notice to withdraw from the accord, which bars missile defenses.