Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : LIMA, PERU
Tarikh/Date : 13/10/95
Tajuk/Title : THE STATE LUNCHEON HOSTED BY H.E.
PRESIDENT ALBERTO FUJIMORI
Thank you for your very kind words of welcome. First
of all let me say how delighted I am to be in Peru today. I
especially remember, Mr. President, your visit to Malaysia
in 1991 and the long discussion we had on matters of mutual
interest. I recall leaving that meeting with a sense that
Peru was about to experience a great period of
transformation and renewal.
2. In recent years Peru has featured prominently in the
international press. Happily the reports have not been
about bombs or terrorism but about economic growth, surging
exports, increasing foreign investments and a new sense of
purpose and direction. My delegation and I are greatly
encouraged to visit Peru to seize this moment to forge new
and enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between our
two countries.
3. Peru's recent achievements in the political, economic
and social fields have been widely acknowledged and are
indeed commendable. Peruvians have clearly indicated in the
elections last April that you deserve the credit for this
and should be given a mandate to lead Peru into the 21st
century. I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate my
heartiest congratulations.
4. We do not have a history or tradition of long years of
economic cooperation or commercial ties. Ours is a
relatively new relationship. What others have taken decades
to develop, we must try to accomplish in a few short years.
It is therefore imperative that we strive for tangible
economic cooperation, for stronger trade ties and for a
deeper level of political and cultural relations. I am
convinced that we can achieve this. Following your visit to
Malaysia in 1991, our bilateral trade increased from under
US$2 million to US$70 million last year. The potential is
clearly there and we must press ahead to exploit it to the
fullest for our mutual benefit.
5. Today we have jointly taken a major step forward in our
relations with the signing of several important agreements,
covering trade, the promotion and protection of investments,
air services, the partial abolition of visa requirements and
cultural cooperation. These agreements would certainly
provide a suitable framework to encourage greater
cooperation between our respective peoples.
6. In the final analysis, the success of economic
cooperation between nations rests upon the decisions made
not by the government sector but by the private sector. To
this end I have encouraged several prominent Malaysian
entrepreneurs to join me on this visit. It is my sincere
hope that together with their Peruvian counterparts they
will seriously explore new opportunities for business. I am
delighted that two private sector cooperation agreements
have also been signed between National Confederation of
Private Enterprise Institutions (CONFIEP) and Malaysia
South-South Association (MASSA) and between Malaysia
External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and its
Peruvian counterpart. To our respective private sectors I
say that the future of the relations between our two
countries is largely in your hands. The responsibility is
great but I am sure that you will rise to the challenge.
7. Such tangible economic linkages will also provide
further impetus to cooperation among developing countries.
There is much that we can do for one another. There is much
that we can learn from each other. We each have valuable
experiences to share. Already a quiet revolution is underway
that has led to more substantive forms of cooperation among
developing countries themselves. This is indeed an
appropriate development. In just a few days' time, the
Non-Aligned nations will be meeting in Cartagena to take
stock of its successes and ponder over its future
direction. There are those who say that the Movement has
outlived its usefulness and that it ought to be disbanded.
I however believe that for as long as developing countries
are disadvantaged and discriminated by unfair policies and
practices, for as long as our views are ignored and the
poorest among us are marginalised, for so long will there
be a need to work together for our common good.
8. Many countries are quick to condemn developing
countries when we do not live up to their expectations and
definitions of democracy. But they have only to look into
the faces of people who yearn for the opportunity to make a
decent living, who desire to dream great things for their
children and to live in peace and stability to understand
that what works for one country may not work for another.
There are times when tough decisions have to be made. That
is what leadership is all about. I congratulate you for
standing firm when confronted by those in the international
community who are so free with their criticisms without
understanding that democracy is not an end in itself but the
means to an end. And the end that we seek is stability and
freedom from fear. If democracy in its liberal form can
deliver that, well and good. But if liberal democracy only
results in insecurity, fear and poverty, then democracy must
be tempered with responsibility so that it delivers what it
is supposed to deliver. You, Mr. President, have dared to
face reality, to take the bull by the horns. The result is
there for all to see. The people of Malaysia salute you Mr.
President and they join me in wishing Peru great years of
progress and development ahead.
9. Finally, Mr. President, please allow me to once again
express my appreciation to you and the Government and
people of Peru for the very warm welcome that you have
extended to my wife and I and members of my delegation.
|
|