Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR.
MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 22/10/98
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
H.E. MR MELES ZENAWI PRIME
MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
It gives me great pleasure to once again bid Your
Excellency a very warm welcome to Malaysia. We are
delighted that you are able to accept our invitation. The
visit gives us an opportunity to express the friendship
that Malaysia has always had for Ethiopia. It also
demonstrates the value of consultation in pursuit of
mutually beneficial co-operation.
2. Your official visit today is of special significance
to all Malaysians. It is almost three decades to the day,
as it were, that His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie was
the first Head of State of Africa to visit our country in
May 1968. We still cherish the memory of that landmark
visit. His Majesty the Emperor's visit was a significant
forerunner to closer ties not only between Malaysia and
Ethiopia, but also between Malaysia and other African
countries.
3. Indeed, Ethiopia was among the first countries with
which Malaysia established diplomatic relations following
our independence. Malaysia established our Embassy in
Addis Ababa in April 1965. While Malaysia was compelled
to close our Embassy there in 1983 as we, for some unknown
reasons, were no longer welcomed by the regime of Mengistu
Mariam, fortunately, this has not in any way diminished
our sentiments towards, and solidarity with, the people of
Ethiopia.
4. Malaysia understands and sympathises with the pains
and deprivation that Ethiopia has suffered because of the
prolonged civil war which was aided and abetted by foreign
interests. From being one of the world's most renowned
civilisations, it is sad and regrettable that Ethiopia was
a victim of such a tragedy.
5. We, in Malaysia, have watched with interest and
admiration the efforts of Your Excellency to consolidate
the peace acquired through much hardship and sacrifice. We
also know that it is due to your untiring determination
that Ethiopia has progressed after two decades of civil
strife to become a united and forward-looking nation that
it is today.
6. Although our countries have had very little contact,
particularly during the past three decades, we have many
things in common. We are both multi-cultural countries
and we believe in power sharing as reflected in the
consensus-seeking spirit underlying the concept of our
governments. The success of both our peoples depends on
our ability to promote positive co-operation and co-
existence between all our peoples. Ethiopia and Malaysia
must contend with the challenge of bridging the gap
between the different segments of our societies.
7. This means that both countries attach high priority
to promoting rapid and sustained economic growth for a
better life for all our peoples. The key to fair income
distribution is to ensure that everyone gets an equitable
share of an enlarged cake - rather than trying to
redistribute the crumbs of a shrinking cake more evenly.
In other words, we do not deprive one segment of society
in order to help another. The redistribution is from the
new growth part.
8. Malaysia's relations with Africa go a long way. It
began as early as 1961. Four years into our Independence,
Malaysian soldiers participated in the UN peacekeeping
operation in the very heart of Africa, the Congo. Since
then, Malaysia has contributed to eight UN operations in
Africa alone. Even today, our soldiers and police are in
Africa under the Blue Beret.
9. Malaysia has also established fruitful and mutually
beneficial relations with many African countries. Today,
trade, investment, and development cooperation links as
much as ties between and among cultural and sporting
groups have increased. Malaysia's relations with fellow
members of the developing world is, therefore, based on
the sharing of our experience and exchange of
information. We have much to gain by cooperating with one
another, and in doing so, prospering together.
10. We are impressed that Ethiopia has begun in earnest
to rebuild itself and is determined to lay the foundation
for durable peace, both at home and in the Horn of Africa.
We commend Your Excellency's role in seeking resolution to
the problems in southern Sudan and in Somalia.
11. In the spirit of South-South Co-operation, Malaysia
will do its utmost to co-operate with Ethiopia in its
efforts at national reconciliation. Malaysia is also
ready to share its experience in the development and
management of Ethiopia's agricultural, agro-based,
telecommunication and hydro-carbon sectors. In this
connection, we welcome Ethiopian officials to visit
Malaysia to exchange views and experiences.
12. Your visit has certainly laid the basis for mutually
beneficial relationship, not only between Ethiopia and
Malaysia, but also between Africa, ASEAN and East Asia.
13. I would like, once again, to express our pleasure in
welcoming Your Excellency and members of your delegation
to Malaysia, and hope your stay in our country will be
both enjoyable and memorable.
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