Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR (K.L) 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	26/11/90 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF 
			HIS EXCELLENCY RATU SIR KAMISESE 
			MARA, PRIME MINISTER OF THE 
			REPUBLIC OF FIJI 




 Your Excellency Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara;
Adi Lady Lala Mara;
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
    It is with deep pleasure that my wife and I welcome you
Mr  Prime  Minister and  Adi Lala and members of your deleg-
ation to Malaysia.   Your visit is a  demonstration  of  the
warm  and  friendly relations existing between our two coun-
tries -- a relationship that is built upon  a  tradition  of
mutual  trust and assistance.  Malaysians recall with appre-
ciation the courage and valour of Fijian  soldiers  fighting
alongside  our  own in the Malayan jungles in the defense of
freedom and democracy.  Stemming from this involvement there
exists deep affection  and  goodwill  among  Malaysians  for
Fijians.  My wife and I also recall with pleasure the warmth
and  kindness with which you and the people of Fiji received
us when we visited Fiji in 1982.
2.   Your visit provides an opportunity for  us  to  discuss
substantive  elements  of our relationship.  This morning we
had a useful and productive exchange of views.  I am  confi-
dent  that  the  new thoughts and ideas that we explored to-
gether could help to provide  additional  dimension  to  our
bilateral  relations.    On my part, I shall do my utmost to
forge more substantive and fruitful links  between  Malaysia
and Fiji.
3.   We  have at present three Malaysian companies operating
in Fiji.  With the new opportunities which  your  Government
are offering, I hope many more of our businessmen would ven-
ture  into Fiji.   Although the trade volume between our two
countries is small, it is increasing.   This positive  trend
needs to be nurtured and encouraged.  While urging Malaysian
businesses to venture into Fiji, I also welcome Fijian busi-
nessmen to explore opportunities available in Malaysia.
Your Excellency,
4.   The  world  today  is  undergoing changes of major pro-
portions.  New patterns of regional and international  coop-
eration  are emerging.  Nevertheless there are still serious
areas of discord which need to be  tended  to.    Inequities
persist  in  the international economic system and in trade.
Numerous other issues have been introduced that make the re-
solution of such inequities more  difficult.    Given  these
circumstances  I  believe  there  is  a  compelling need for
closer cooperation amongst developing countries when  facing
our  common  challenges.   Coordinated and concerted efforts
too have to be made to expand economic relations  among  the
developing  countries.  There is much we can learn and bene-
fit from each other.
5.   Malaysia is deeply committed to the concept of economic
and technical cooperation among developing countries.    Our
hosting  the first Summit of the Group of 15 in Kuala Lumpur
and our continued involvement in the Group's activities tes-
tify to this commitment.   Another is  Malaysia's  Technical
Cooperation  Programme (MTCP).  Within our modest resources,
we would like to share the experience and expertise  in  de-
velopment  acquired  over  the years which may benefit other
developing countries.  I am happy to note that the  training
programmes  offered  within  this framework have been widely
utilised by the Government of Fiji.   I hope  such  training
could  be  usefully  adapted  to the needs of Fiji.   If the
training we are providing to the Fijians is found to be use-
ful, it might be possible to expand the programme to include
other areas not presently covered.
6.   While bilateral cooperation is decidedly important, re-
gional cooperation should not be  neglected.    The  various
questions raised by the dramatic changes in the economic and
political  scene  world wide could best be responded to in a
collective manner.  We welcome initiatives  and  efforts  in
establishing  dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and the
South Pacific Forum countries.   We are neighbours,  a  fact
which  many of us intellectually accept but very few are se-
rious enough to take advantage of.  At the  moment,  despite
our proximity, there is a lack of substance in the relations
between  the  two regional groupings.  In intiating and pro-
moting this  interlocking  network  of  cooperation  between
ASEAN  and  the FORUM countries, it would be more prudent to
limit ourselves to the more pratical projects that will con-
tribute to peace and prosperity in our area.
7.   I note that Fiji has made impressive strides both  eco-
nomically  and politically.   The economic gains that accrue
from the Interim Government's pragmatic  policies  have  re-
stored stability to Fiji.  Much of the progress I believe is
due  to  Your Excellency's leadership and wise counsel.  And
in much the same fashion, the  new  Constitution  which  was
promulgated  recently  will  provide the foundation that the
nation needs to progress futher.
Your Excellency,
8.   You and I well know that in managing a multi racial na-
tion, a continuous balance has to be made in meeting the op-
posing demands of our different communities.    Despite  the
seemingly intractable problems that confront us, very unique
opportunities are given to us to build a united nation whose
people  are proud to be its citizens.  I believe the Fijians
will rise to the challenges ahead.  I wish  Your  Excellency
and all Fijians of whatever racial antecedents well.
9.   Once  again,  allow me to reiterate how happy we are to
have you and Adi Lala as our guests.   I am  confident  that
your  visit  will contribute to closer relations between our
two countries.  I hope you and Adi Lala  will  have  a  most
pleasant stay in Malaysia.
Distinguished guests,
10.  May I now invite you to join me in a toast to the Pres-
ident, the Government and the people of the Republic of Fiji
and  to  the  continued  friendship of our two countries and
peoples.
Thank you.