Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : BEIRUT, LEBANON
Tarikh/Date : 16/06/97
Tajuk/Title : THE STATE BANQUET ON THE OCCASION
OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE
REPUBLIC OF LEBANON
1. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for
the very warm welcome extended to my wife and I and to the
members of my delegation. The welcome and the warm
expression of friendship and goodwill accorded to our
delegation clearly demonstrate the close fraternal
relations that exist between our two countries.
2. It is a privilege for me to make this first official
visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister to Lebanon. My
predecessors had made private visits to Beirut and there
have also been numerous contacts at both official and
commercial levels especially since the early 1960s.
Lebanon was among the first countries with which Malaysia
established diplomatic relations following our
Independence. Dato Umar Jundi who has served with
distinction as our Honorary Consul has played an important
role in nurturing Malaysian-Lebanese friendship. Malaysia
established a Trade Office in Beirut as early as in 1968.
It was the first such office in this part of the world.
3. Malaysia has, from the very beginning, attached
importance to its relations with Lebanon. However, some
17 years of war and turmoil have exacted their toll and
valuable time has been lost. Fortunately, it has not
diminished our solidarity with the people of Lebanon.
4. Malaysia understands and symphathises with the pains
and deprivation that Lebanon has suffered because of the
prolonged civil war which was aided and abetted by foreign
interests. From being one of the world's most
sophisticated centres of commerce and culture, it is sad
and regrettable that Lebanon had been reduced to a scarred
battlefield. We are however impressed that Lebanon has
begun in earnest to rebuild itself and is determined to
lay the foundation for durable peace, both at home and in
the region.
5. Malaysia is delighted that Lebanon has already
accomplished a great deal. I congratulate Prime Minister
Rafic Hariri for his strong leadership and his single-
mindedness in leading the Lebanese people in the immense
task of reconstruction. The Lebanese people, I believe,
place reconstruction above petty politics. We in Malaysia
know very well the need for political stability for a
country's development. We are sure that Lebanon will
rise again. The remarkable recovery currently underway is
a testimony of Lebanon's indomitable spirit.
6. We do not know what role we can play in the
reconstruction of Lebanon but I have with me a number of
Malaysian businessmen familiar with the economic and
physical rehabilitation of a country. Many of the members
of this delegation and their companies have played a key
role in the economic transformation of Malaysia. We hope
that they can be given an opportunity to participate in
returning Lebanon to its former glory as the premier
business centre of West Asia. We know that Lebanese
prosperity will not only contribute to the well-being of
this region but also to us in Malaysia who wish to trade
and interact economically with Lebanon.
7. The renowned entrepreneurial spirit of the Lebanese
people and their determination to help the country to
resume its traditional role as a dynamic commercial and
cultural centre for the entire region is sufficient for
Malaysia to want to participate in your reconstruction. We
trust there is excellent scope for our two peoples to work
together.
8. I must also congratulate Prime Minister Hariri for
the highly successful `Friends of Lebanon Conference'
which was held in Washington last December, which has
forged an effective partnership to rebuild initiatives on
the basis of the Lebanese people helping themselves
through the private sector, both domestic and foreign.
This approach and model had worked well in Malaysia and, I
am sure, it can help Lebanon to flourish as well.
9. In Malaysia, we have been quite successful in tapping
the dynamism of the private sector and have utilised
private capital to serve the national interest. The
public sector under the concept of `Malaysian
Incorporated' works closely with the private sector,
whether foreign or local. This has helped to create
jobs, accelerate economic growth, and speed up the
construction of the necessary infrastructure. In other
words public/private sector cooperation is good for
Malaysia's growth and well-being.
10. Malaysia believes there can also be a `smart
partnership' between governments, nations and regions. In
our part of the world, this idea was applied to accelerate
ASEAN development. Besides devising elements of
complementarity for our manufacturing industries, we have
also made efforts to promote joint development among ASEAN
countries through `growth triangles' involving adjacent
territories of neighbouring countries. Our national
policies, be they economic or trade, are designed to
`prosper our neighbours', rather than impoverish them.
Poor neighbours create problems. Rich neighbours make
good trading partners.
11. Perhaps West Asia would like to experiment with this
approach. A key element for regional peace is the
acceptance by all of the settlement of problems between
and among neighbours through negotiations. Failing this
we resort to third parties, such as the World Court.
Where justified we would rather share what is disputed
than try to take all for ourselves through costly
confrontations and the destruction of what is claimed.
12. Malaysia simply cannot countenance aggression by
anyone, whether friend or foe. In West Asia Israel must
realise that the threats it perceives are a direct
consequence of its own action. Any country that forcibly
takes over land and property belonging to others, that
destroys other people's dwellings in order to erect its
own settlements, cannot be said to be sincere in wanting
peace. Yet Israel tries to justify its actions by
accusing its neighbours of threatening to retaliate. If
others cannot retaliate and cannot even threaten to
retaliate, then all aggression must be condoned. What
kind of a world will we create if aggression and disregard
for world opinion is considered a right? Israel must
learn to reject violence as a solution to its so-called
security problem. Violence is not the solution. Good-
neighbourliness and sincerity are.
13. Malaysia fully sympathises with the people of Lebanon
as their lands have been taken away from them, and we
fully support UN resolution 425 and consider its
implementation as being the only suitable and acceptable
way for the establishment of peace in Lebanon.
14. The current Israel Government must also honour
commitments made by the preceding government. If a new
government scuttles solemn undertakings by the previous
government, how do we conduct international relations?
Peace can only come about with sacrifice. The Jews found
sanctuary in Muslim countries when they were persecuted
in Europe. No one -- Arab, Palestinian or Muslim --
regards Jews as their eternal enemies. What is required
is a change in the current Israeli government's mind-set
which condemns Muslims and Arabs as their eternal enemies.
This mindset prevents any real progress towards peace.
15. Malaysia is delighted and indeed encouraged by the
fact that Lebanon, under your leadership, has steadfastly
stayed the course of national reconciliation and economic
recovery. The democratic process has ensured a fair
hearing for everyone, irrespective of religious
affiliation. Our experience convinces us that the concept
of partnership through coalition and networking among the
various ethnic and religious groups is a key element in
building a vibrant and tolerant society. There can be
strength in diversity. But, it must be seriously and
sincerely nurtured over time. Malaysia believes in
sharing what we have rather than trying to take all for
ourselves only to destroy the prize completely in the
process. We are confident that the people of Lebanon will
want to share what is left rather than destroy everything
once again.
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