Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SANTIAGO
Tarikh/Date : 20/06/91
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
HIS EXCELLENCY PATRICIO AYLWIN
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE
Your Excellency President Patricio Aylwin,
Madame Aylwin,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
May I first of all thank you Mr. President for the very
warm welcome that has been extended to my wife and I and to
members of my delegation. Chile used to be very remote for
us but of late we have been hearing much more about your
great country and we are delighted to be here today, after
what must be the first direct flight from Kuala Lumpur
across the South Pacific to Santiago.
2. As I journeyed across the Pacific to come to Chile, I
felt a sense of wonder at the vast geographical distance
that separate our two countries. To this must be added cul-
tural and linguistic differences as well. It is not sur-
prising therefore that our relations though friendly and
cordial, have not been quite so active until very recently.
3. And yet, Mr. President, our world is becoming more and
more interdependent. The system of global trade and com-
merce in particular cannot but link our destinies for better
or for worse. If we are to progress and prosper we must
overcome the barriers that separate us and join hands both
in constructing a fair and equitable international trading
system and in enhancing bilateral economic and technical co-
operation.
4. Chile and Malaysia are both Pacific nations. The
Pacific has already become the world's most dynamic growth
centre and is set to play a leading role in global politics
and economics. If the Pacific is to continue to surge ahead
economically, a free and open trading system is a fundamen-
tal necessity. The Pacific must evolve more fully into a
basin of cooperation. It must not be allowed to become a
cauldron of rivalry and unhealthy competition, whether eco-
nomic or political. Neither must it be made secondary to
the interests of any particular nation.
5. The vast Pacific Ocean has separated nations and peo-
ples more completely than any other body of water. But to-
day the wonders of modern technology has caused the Pacific
to shrink. We can speak with each other as if we are only a
street away and in the time it takes to drive from Kuala
Lumpur to Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand, we can actually
fly into each other's capital. The Pacific Ocean should no
longer be the barrier it was and Chile and Malaysia must pi-
oneer new partnerships between the countries of the Pacific
to take advantage of the shrunken ocean.
6. It is in full awareness of this that I come to Chile
with the earnest hope that we would be able to put in place
a new bilateral framework for sustained cooperation between
our two countries. On the basis of our discussions today,
and given your own very strong commitment to this cause, I
feel confident that this can be achieved. Certainly the
agreements on Trade and Economic and Technical Cooperation,
and the Bilateral Payments Agreement that we will sign are
steps towards realising this commitment. We must now take
steps to realise the contents of these agreements so that
there would be tangible improvements in trade, investment
and technical exchanges.
7. Malaysia and several other East Asian countries are
presently registering high rates of growth ranging from be-
tween 7 to 10 per cent. This in turn has generated an enor-
mous demand for goods and services. There is no reason why
Chile cannot supply some of these goods and services and
thus participate in East Asia's dynamic growth. I have
brought with me more than 60 businessmen who are keenly in-
terested in developing business ties with Chile and I am
hopeful that the contacts they will establish here in Chile
will help accelerate the pace of cooperation not only be-
tween Malaysia and Chile but between Chile and East Asia as
well.
Excellency,
8. May I once again thank you for receiving me and my de-
legation with such warmth and hospitality. May I now pro-
pose a toast to Your Excellency's good health and to the
friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
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