Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 23/03/95
Tajuk/Title : THE DINNER IN HONOUR OF H.E. RAFIC
HARIRI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE
REPUBLIC OF LEBANON
It is with great pleasure that my wife and I welcome
Your Excellency, Madame Nazek Hariri and the distinguished
members of your delegation to Malaysia. I am delighted that
Your Excellency is able to visit us as it was only a few
months ago that we had the opportunity of meeting in
Casablanca, during the 7th Organisation of Islamic
Conference (OIC) Summit.
2. I am confident that your presence here today will be an
important beginning in our mutual desire to enhance the
links in our bilateral cooperation which have been disrupted
following the difficult years in Lebanon's political
development.
3. Lebanon to our knowledge was very well developed and
among the wealthiest countries in the Middle East in the
days before the civil war. It was the region's financial
centre and its playground, sophisticated and the epitome of
sectarian tolerance. Its Airline was the pride of the
region.
4. Then some segments of the population wanted more for
themselves at the expense of the others. There was
resistance to this and before anyone realised what was
happening there was a full scale civil war with everyone
pitted against everyone else.
5. Beirut was destroyed. Lebanon's rich economy was in
shambles. People were killed and wounded. There was no
security for anyone. Fear stalked the streets of Beirut and
other parts of Lebanon.
6. When the Taif Peace Agreement was finally signed five
years ago Lebanon was not even a shadow of its former self.
We here were saddenend by the tragedy that had fallen your
country. And I am sure the Lebanese people must have wept
tears of sorrow over the fate that had befallen their
country.
7. But the most tragic thing of all is that, for the heavy
price that was paid by all the Lebanese people from all
segments of society, the Muslims of various sects, the
Christians and the Palestinian refugees, no one had gained
anything more than they had before the war. Indeed everyone
lost almost everything. The fighting, the killings, the
hardship and the sacrifices were all in vain.
8. We hope, Your Excellency, that others in the Middle
East and the rest of the Muslim world will understand the
futility of violent conflicts and terrorism as instruments
for correcting the ills of society, be they social,
political or religious. Unfortunately, the lessons of
Lebanon have taught the selfish, the fanatics and the
terrorists nothing. There are still conflicts everywhere.
Religious fanatics and extremists are still trying to bring
down Governments by violence, while Governments, as
expected, react with equal violence. People suffer.
Economies stagnate or regressed. Foreign powers take
advantage. Muslims everywhere are derided and made the butt
of cynical jokes. It would seem that Islam is the religion
of chaos and backwardness, of intolerance and needless
violence.
9. And in the end, if there is an end, the sufferings
would have all been in vain. Violence, fanaticism and
terror bring gain to no one. The massive losses of lives
and property would all have been wasted.
10. Malaysia experienced a little of what Lebanon went
through. We had to fight Communist terrorists for many
long years. In 1969 there were rioting and violence in
Kuala Lumpur, with many deaths and loss of property.
The World Press reported that Malaysia was finished.
Democracy had again failed in this Muslim-dominated country.
Fortunately, Malaysians came to their senses quickly.
Since then they have eschewed confrontations and violence.
Together they built up the country which you see today.
They now share much more wealth, peace and stability than
anything that would have been gained if any in their
community had won through violent confrontations.
11. Our experiences, yours and ours, have been good lessons
for us. Would that they serve as good lessons also for
other Muslim and non-Muslim countries which are now facing
civil wars, violence and terrorism simply because some
people think they can create a better world or better
Governments if they can bring down the Governments of the
day regardless of the law.
12. We are very happy indeed that your country's trials and
tribulations are over. The process of reconstruction has
now begun. I am sure that Lebanon, and in particular
Beirut, will regain the former glory. We have heard of your
plans for Beirut. As we have some experience in urban and
rural development, we will be happy to exchange information
and to participate in your reconstruction programmes.
13. As members of the OIC, Malaysia believes that the time
has come for us to correct the image of Islam and the
Muslims. Because of a variety of unfortunate actions on the
part of extremists and deviationists who have been lumped as
Islamic fundamentalists, and the failures of some Islamic
countries to achieve stability, peace and progress, our
image at the moment is very much wanting. This is not the
image of Islam at all. Lebanon and Malaysia are in very
good positions to correct this image by showing true Islamic
tolerance and justice for others not of our faith, and our
capacity to govern and govern well a pluralistic society.
We hope that we can work together on the task of revealing
the true face of Islam and Muslims.
14. Your visit to Malaysia will, I am sure, provide you and
your delegation with an opportunity to see for yourself the
possibilities that exist for us to cooperate and work
together for mutual benefit. At present, the level of
economic interaction between our two countries is still
minimal but the potentials are enormous. During our meeting
this morning, we had together explored new ideas and new
thoughts, particularly in the area of bilateral economic
cooperation, to provide for a more substantive interaction
between Malaysia and Lebanon. We have agreed that our
interactions should not be confined only to the government
but more so among our peoples and the private sector.
Malaysia believes that the private sector can play a pivotal
role in helping to transform the character of our economic
and trade relations.
15. Lebanon and Malaysia share similar views on many
international issues, in particular the struggle of the
Palestinian people and the attainment of a comprehensive
settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Many momentous
developments have taken place in the West Asian region since
the end of the Cold War. In Lebanon itself, we have
witnessed the end of the civil war. But the issue of
Israeli intransigence and continued occupation of Arab
lands, including southern Lebanon, remains. Some 20 months
ago, many believed that the signing of the Declaration of
Principles between the PLO and Israel marked a fresh
beginning in the efforts to resolve the conflict.
Regrettably, the international community has yet to see
peace take root in the region, in particular in the occupied
Palestinian and Arab territories. While recognising that
there have been progress in some areas, the situation on the
ground remains far from satisfactory.
16. Malaysia believes that progress of the peace process
very much depends on the commitment and willingness of both
parties in implementing all the provisions that they had
agreed. The continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in
occupied territories is certainly against the spirit of the
agreement.
17. Malaysia, as I have mentioned, is opposed to all forms
of extremism, violence and terrorism. We believe that
violence will not solve problems. Violence only begets
violence. We would urge Israel to demonstrate its sincerity
and commitment to implement the remaining central issues,
including the return of Golan Heights and withdrawal from
Southern Lebanon in order to maintain the momentum of the
peace process.
18. I trust Mr. Prime Minister, that you, Madame and your
delegation will have a fruitful and enjoyable stay in our
country. The programme we have laid out for you will give a
glimpse of what the Government and the people of Malaysia
are striving to achieve in our quest for progress and
prosperity. I hope Your Excellency and your delegation will
bring with you fond memories of your short stay with us.
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