Bush pushes 'axis of evil' line

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- President George W. Bush has defended his "axis of evil" rhetoric, stressing the U.S. was willing to "seize the moment" in its campaign against terrorism.

"We cannot allow nations that aren't transparent, nations that have a terrible history, nations that are so dictatorial they are willing to starve their people -- we can't allow them (to be) made up with terrorist organizations," Bush said, referring to Iraq, Iran and North Korea that make up his so-called "axis of evil."

"In the war against terror, one of the worst things that can possibly happen is al Qaeda-like organizations becoming allied and operationally attuned to nations which have a weapon of mass destruction."

Bush said he had stressed this point with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during talks on Monday that focused on terrorism as well as the struggling Japanese economy.

QUOTE "Make no mistake about it -- I will defend our interests and I will defend the American people." - President Bush

"The leaders I have spoken to fully understand exactly what has to happen, they understand the resolve of the United States of America, they understand that our commitment is not just in Afghanistan," the U.S. president said at a news conference after meeting with Koizumi.

"[They understand] that history has given us a unique opportunity to defend freedom and we're going to seize the moment and do it."

Koizumi said Bush had been "very calm and cautious" in his stance on Iraq, Iran and North Korea and had not ruled out any possibility to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or terrorism.

"He will resort to all possible means to fight terrorism and I believe this resolve was behind the phrase 'axis of evil'," Koizumi said.

Peaceful resolution

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Bush emphasized that all options were open in the war against terror and wanted to "resolve all issues peacefully whether it be Iraq, Iran or North Korea for that matter.

After further meetings with Koizumi Monday, the U.S. leader will address the Japanese Diet (parliament) on Tuesday before departing to South Korea on the second stop of his three-nation, six-day trip to East Asia.

In Seoul, the prickly issue of North Korea will dominate proceedings with many South Korean officials concerned that Bush's stance regarding their communist neighbor will set back rapprochement efforts.

"On the one side of the parallel we have people starving to death because their nation chooses to build weapons of mass destruction and on the other side there is freedom," Bush said.

"It is important for those of us who love freedom to work with nations and to convince them to choose freedom. But I've also said they should make no mistake about it -- I will defend our interests and I will defend the American people."

Japan support

Koizumi pledged his nation's support to the United States, adding that Japan's role in the anti-terror campaign, beyond and including Afghanistan, would continue to be important.

The Japanese leader said he was committed to improving relations with North Korea through peaceful dialogue.

"Japan through cooperation and coordination with South Korea and United States would like to work on the normalization of relations with North Korea," Koizumi said.

Bush was full of praise for Japan's role in the anti-terrorism coalition, saying that the Japanese-U.S. alliance was the "bedrock" of peace and stability in the Pacific.

Small demonstrations greeted Bush upon arrival in Tokyo, with protesters calling for the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 50,000 troops from Japan, and others opposing Bush's description of North Korea, Iran and Iraq as an "axis of evil."

Security issues are expected to be more paramount in South Korea which has been anxious about any diplomatic fall-out relating to Bush's state of the Union address last month.

From South Korea, Bush travels to China for meetings with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and other senior figures.