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Speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Banquet Hosted by the Rt Hon Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Prime Minister of Fiji, In

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Speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Banquet Hosted by the Rt Hon Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Prime Minister of Fiji, In 1 SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW AT THE BANQUET HOSTED BY THE RT HON RATU SIR KAMISESE MARA, PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI, IN SUVA, ON 9 APRIL 1986 My delegation and I thank you for the warm welcome you and your Government have given us. It is more than three years since the successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting in October 1982 and I am happy to be here again. You have achieved much for Fiji in 15 years since independence. Your farsighted policies based on a tolerant approach to the problems of ethnic, religious, language and cultural differences have enabled your people to make impressive economic and social progress. Your attitude springs from deeply held personal convictions and religious belief. In Fiji's multiracial society, your values have made for stability and harmony. Your vision of a better future has led to Fiji's impressive progress in raising the standard of living of its people over a short period since independence. This is not to say that the drastic drop in prices of commodities, especially sugar which Fiji exports, have not temporarily slowed down your advances. These are worldwide difficulties which Fiji cannot avoid. Indeed Singapore has lky/1986/lky0409.doc 2 not escaped their effects, even though we are not exporters of commodities. Our neighbours are, and when they tighten their belts they cut their spending on buying or travelling to Singapore. Fiji's active role in regional and international affairs are acknowledged as constructive. Geography has made Fiji a natural regional centre. Modern communications and transportation plus an enlightened leadership, have enlarged Fiji's role. She has consistently offered her finest sons to the United Nations and other peace keeping missions. Today, Fiji's forces are participating in the UN Interim Force in the Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Multi-national Force in the Sinai. It is an outstanding record for a small island state with a population of about 700,000. Not long ago, your troops were in Malaya helping them and Singapore fight the communists. Your forces have left a legend behind. We will always remember the friendly disposition of your soldiers. We also recall that they excel in the field of sports. One who comes in mind easily was Joe Levula, who held all the sprint records in Singapore, and on the rugby field was off like a hurricane when he got the ball. I understand that the younger Fijians, like their forebears, also excel in sports and that your rugby team is respected and feared by your lky/1986/lky0409.doc 3 opponents in the region and in distant lands. In a recent encounter in Hong Kong, the Singapore team's best effort against Fiji, was 0-40. The bilateral relationship between Fiji and Singapore is excellent. It rests on a similar Commonwealth experience, shared values and common interests in a more just and peaceful world order which can offer all peoples equal chances to develop. It is my good fortune to have enjoyed your friendship over the years. The close ties between Fiji and Singapore will grow as the links of cooperation between ASEAN and the South Pacific expand. Finally, Mr Prime Minister, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I ask you to join me in a toast to the good health and continued success of the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. - - - - - - - - - - M1/PM1/Pgs.1-2 lky/1986/lky0409.doc.
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