says violent protesters are to blame for the severe security measures in place for the APEC meeting in Sydney.

The summit is under way in Sydney, with the main leaders' meeting beginning on Friday.

Mr Howard says he will be meeting with United States President George W Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the Saturday of the APEC weekend.

as strong cooperating democracies we do have some common interests in the Pacific region

"I simply ask them to stop for a moment and consider that if they really are worried about issues such as poverty, security and climate change, then they should support APEC, not attack it,"

Anti-globalisation demonstrators say they are prepared to challenge police in court to officially secure the right to march along their preferred route

we have a right to demonstrate

police may arrest protesters during APEC, he does not believe the courts will uphold the charges.

3,000 of the 15,000 NSW officers - have been assigned to the September 2-9 forum.