Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	OTTAWA, CANADA 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	13/01/84 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED BY THE 
			RT. HON. PIERRE ELLIOT TRUDEAU, 
			PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA 




 It is indeed a great honour, Mr. Prime Minister, for me and my delegation
to be in Ottawa as guests of the Government and people of Canada. You may
recall that exactly one year ago, you yourself had visited Malaysia. I had
the pleasure then of welcoming you to my country as well as the
opportunity to discuss with you a wide range of issues covering the
relations between our two countries and the international scene. I have
looked forward to continue these discussions which this visit to Canada
has afforded me.

2. I am delighted to have the chance of meeting you again with the full
knowledge that we are not strangers but indeed old acquaintance. The warm
and friendly exchange of views which we had this morning will, I am sure,
help to foster closer ties between Malaysia and Canada.

3. Allow me to express our deepest appreciations for the warm welcome and
generous hospitality extended to us by you and the Government and people
of Canada. We will indeed bring back to Malaysia pleasant memories of our
brief sojourn in your country.

4. Relations between Malaysia and Canada have been close and meaningful. I
must commend you for the role that you have played in enhancing these
relations. It is with gratification that I note of the increasing
attention to Malaysia given by your Government and people. Since your
visit to Kuala Lumpur in January 1983, no less than three groups of
prominent Canadians had visited us.

5. I recall meeting a group of your parliamentarians led by Mr. Keith
Penner quite soon after your visit. Your colleague and a good friend of
mine, Mr. Gerald Regan visited us last May and had useful exchanges with
my Deputy and other Cabinet colleagues. In October, Mr. William Davis, the
Premier of Ontario paid us a visit which regretfully, however, was only a
brief one.

6. I am confident that relations between Malaysia and Canada could be
further strengthened, particularly in the fields of trade and economic,
education, cultural and technical cooperation. We are appreciative for the
assistance that Canada has given to us in our development projects. We
hope that besides those who have already made a contribution to the growth
of our economy, more Canadian investors would venture to come to
Malaysia. We look forwad to increasing the trade between our two
countries. We hope to learn and utilise Canadian expertise in our effort
to industrialise. There are certainly several areas of cooperation which
can be further explored for mutual benefit.

7. The positive notes in our economic relations have struck a harmonious
chord given the similarity in our economic systems and thus our ability to
understand each others needs. In this regard, I wish to thank you,
Mr. Prime Minister, and your government for the understanding that you
have given in resolving the problem associated with the acquisition of
Guthries Canada by PNB, the Malaysian National Equity Corporation. I also
wish to express my appreciation for your government's decision to increase
the quota for acrylic yarn imports from Malaysia.

8. I know that you are a great believer and an advocate of the North-South
dialogue. I believe that it is imperative for efforts such as yours to be
continued so that a more satisfactory order of economic relations between
nations could be achieved. It has been said, again and again, that in this
modern world, nations are interdependent. It is time that we translate
this saying into reality by looking into this problem with a strong sense
of urgency. There is a need for all nations to muster the will to put the
present world economy in order. The declarations, resolutions and
statements emanating from the various economic summits and conferences
must be carried into the realm of action.

9. The failure to address the North-South question has no doubt brought
about a sense of frustration and even disillusionment in some quarters. It
is small wonder that many countries have found it easier not to enter into
endless emotional and costly deliberations which achieve no results. It is
action that is needed. In order to drive home this point, Malaysia is
taking various steps to promote mutual cooperation among countries of the
South. We have launched our own technical cooperation programme with a
number of countries in the South Pacific and in Africa. We may not be able
to achieve much but at least it is better than holding endless
conferences.

10. As a member of ASEAN, Malaysia welcomes Canada's interest in the
association. There is scope for greater cooperation between ASEAN and
Canada in the economic, social, technical and industrial fields. The
continuous dialogue between Canada and the ASEAN countries could engender
a close partnership in the interest of each other's prosperity and the
well-being of nations in the region.

11. The ASEAN countries have worked closely together to promote peace and
stability in Southeast Asia. They have high aspirations in this
regard. But these aspirations will not be achieved as long as the
Kampuchean issue remains unresolved. It is therefore essential for ASEAN
as well as countries outside the region to work towards the restoration of
the independence, sovereignty and national integrity of the Kampuchean
people. We have to recognise the ability of the Coalition Government of
Democratic Kampuchea, or the CGDK, to represent the interests of the
Kampuchean people. Malaysia notes with satisfaction that Canada has
recognised the CGDK. We are also appreciative of your support towards the
efforts to find a durable solution to the issue.

12. Apart from economic depression, from which I hope we are recovering,
the world is still witnessing incessant and bitter wars. Besides Kampuchea
there is the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the Iran-Iraq War, the
carnage in Palestine and in a number of Central American countries. Then
there sis the threat of a nuclear war between the super-powers. Missiles
armed with nuclear warheads are deployed all over the world. It is clear,
Mr. Prime Minister, we need to call a halt to this madness.

13. In this respect, Mr. Prime Minister, I wish to express my highest
regard and extend my fullest support for your effort in trying to achieve
a more sensible order of political relations in the quest of international
security. You have undertaken a highly commendable task of endeavouring to
restore contact and communication among the nuclear powers.

14. We have followed with deep interest your proposals. We are hopeful
that your "Pilgrimage for Peace and Disarmament" would bring about the
desired results.

15. I am sure that both our countries are motivated by a similar desire to
achieve world peace and stability in the interest of our political
well-being and economic prosperity. It is therefore our duty to help
restore the dignity and independence of peoples who have been subjected to
foreign military and political domination. We should be indefatigable in
finding a solution to the problem in West Asia. It is our view that
nations should lend their support to the Geneva Declaration and Programme
of Action on Palestine so as to provide the basis for a successful attempt
at resolving the question of Palestine which is the core of the West Asian
problem. We should endeavour to work towards a solution to the problem in
Southern Africa. We must sensitise ourselves to the cries of agony of the
women and children of Afghanistan, Kampuchea and Lebanon.

16. It is my pleasure to once again thank you and the Government and
people of Canada for the friendly welcome and gracious hospitality which
you have extended to me and my delegation.

17. Distinguished Guests, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now
request you to rise and join me in a toast to the Queen of Canada, the
good health of Prime Minister Trudeau and to the continuing close and
friendly relations between Malaysia and Canada.