Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	VIENNA, AUSTRIA 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	12/04/85 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE DINNER GIVEN BY HIS EXCELLENCY 
			DR. FRED SINOWATZ, FEDERAL 
			CHANCELLOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
			AUSTRIA, IN VIENNA 




 Your Excellency Dr. Fred Sinowatz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of
Austria; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the members of my Delegation, I would like to thank you for
the warm and friendly welcome extended to us since our arrival in
Austria. We are happy and honoured to be here in your beautiful country,
which is so rich in history and culture. I would also like to thank you
for the kind words you have expressed just now.

2. I am gratified that relations between Malaysia and Austria have been
characterised by much warmth and understanding. The fruitful discussions
we both had, points to our commitment to further enhance bilateral
relations between Malaysia and Austria for our mutual benefit. The fact
that we are able to reach an understanding so readily on all the issues we
discussed, indicates the goodwill and the desire between our two countries
to cooperate further for the common good of our peoples.

3. There are tremendous opportunities and potentials for greater
cooperation between Malaysia and Austria in a variety of fields,
particularly in trade and investment. During the course of my programme
today, I had the opportunity to address the Austrian business community. I
am pleased to observe the great interest on the Austrian side as well as
from the Malaysian private sector delegation to explore the possibilities
for mutual cooperation. I am sure that both sides will take full advantage
of the occasion of our visit to establish contacts and contribute towards
strengthening our bilateral relations.

4. In our efforts to attain greater economic development and industrial
progress, we in Malaysia attach great importance to trade and
investment. Like Austria, Malaysia places emphasis on an export-oriented
economy. Malaysia has so far been fairly successful in the effort to
modernise, but we are ever aware that we need to diversify our markets and
to acquire specialised knowledge and expertise in many fields. We,
therefore, encourage foreign participation in our development efforts
through liberal terms for investment and attractive business
opportunities. The signing of the Investment Guarantee Agreement is a
further demonstration of the mutual readiness of both countries to promote
and facilitate further our economic cooperation.

Your Excellency, 

5. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
in Europe as well as the 30th. anniversary of the signing of the State
Treaty between Austria and the four Allied Powers by which Austria
regained her independence and sovereignty. Within this period of time,
Austria has emerged as a leading industrialised country in Europe. In
fact, far from being a hindrance, your strategicsituation on the East-West
Divide -- has through your prudent and pragmatic policies -- been
instrumental in promoting peaceful co-existence and cooperation between
European countries with different social and political systems. This is a
tribute to your country's wise leadership and to the hard work, industry
and determination of the Austrian people. As your nation commemorates
these important landmarks of your history, the Malaysian Government and
people join me in extending our warmest felicitations and best wishes for
the continued peace and prosperity of the Government and people of
Austria.

6. In our part of the world too, we view with importance the coming 30th
anniversary of the Afro-Asian Bandung Conference which brought together
like-minded countries conerned over the plight of the third world, a large
part of which was then still under colonial bondage, domination and
exploitation. The 10 principles of Bandung governing the code of conduct
between nations are as valid today as they were then.

7. I believe that the cooperation and interaction among the neutral and
non-aligned countries of Europe of which Austria is a very keen and active
member, is based on similar principles. There is, therefore, much in
common between countries like Austria and Malaysia. Our common concern for
peace and security, of staying clear of big power politics and rivalry,
and in working for complete and general disarmament provide us with a
ready-made agenda for more active cooperation and more effective
coordination of our efforts. Indeed, our positions on these vital
questions of peace, security and disarmament are similar.

8. The need for more active cooperation and coordination of our efforts is
all the more necessary as the international situation is fraught with
growing dangers of the unrestrained use of force by the strong against the
weak and in total defiance of the principles and objectives of the UN
Charter which all of us are committed to uphold. We see it happening in
Kampuchea where the Vietnamese forces continue to illegally occupy that
unfortunate country. Their actions pose the biggest threat to peace and
stability in our region. I have stressed repeatedly that there can be no
military solution to the problem in Kampuchea and that the only recourse
is to a negotiated political settlement. Your country, through its
chairmanship of the International Conference on Kampuchea, is playing a
constructive role in helping to solve the problem. I sincerely look
forward to the day when peace can prevail and all the countries in the
region can see to the realisation of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and
Neutrality in Southeast Asia.

9. The Palestinian problem continue to be the most important issue facing
the international community today and yet has defied solution for a long
time. A number of bloody wars have been fought there and we have witnessed
the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their homeland by the
aggression committed by the Israelis. We note that Austria has been and is
still actively engaged in the search of a solution and supports fully the
UN position that the PLO is the legitimate representative of the
Palestinian people and that the restoration of their legitimate national
rights, including their right to establish their own state is a
prerequisite to a just and comprehensive settlement of the conflict. The
untiring efforts that Austrian leaders, icluding you yourself, Excellency,
have madeis evidence of Austria's constructive role in the search for a
lasting solution to the problem. Indeed, Austria's contribution has not
been restricted to the political aspect of the problem, but has extended
to humanitarian assistance to the unfortunate victims of the conflict.

10. Another area of concern to Malaysia is the question of Antarctica. It
is the last unsettled frontier in the world and it remains our view that
all Mankind has a legitimate interest in the continent. Antarctica should
not be the exclusive preserve of only a few nations. Malaysia is ready to
cooperate with the member states of the Antarctica Treaty with a view to
finding an acceptable system wherein all nations may cooperate to preserve
that vast cold continent and sustain its environment until such time when
exploitation of its resources can be done without pollution and damaging
the ecological system.

Your Excellency, 

11. In the field of international trade, which is so crucial for all
countries for growth and development, the record is not one we can be
proud of as the gap between the industrialised countries and the
developing countries continue to widen. The position of the least
developed countries is deteriorating rapidly. Others have had to contend
with declining prices for their commodities, protectionist measures and
barriers to the free flow of trade so essential to us all. The recession,
the inflated dollar and high interest rates have made matters worse.

12. Here again Austria has set a good example by having a liberal import
policy for goods from countries like Malaysia with no imposition of quotas
or other restrictions. I sincerely hope that other and richer
industrialised countries will also follow the lead taken by Austria.

13. I would like to conclude my remarks by thanking Your Excellency, the
Government and people of Austria for the honour you do us in hosting this
dinner.

14. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I invite you to join
me in a toast to the continued good health and happiness of His
Excellency, Dr. Fred Sinowatz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of
Austria, and to the everlasting friendship between Malaysia and Austria