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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON, AT THE STATE BANQUET OFFERED BY H.E. ALI HASSAN MWINYI

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON, AT THE STATE BANQUET OFFERED BY H.E. ALI HASSAN MWINYI, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REP. OF TANZANIA

President Mwinyi, your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank you on behalf of my husband, Nick, and myself and the members of our party for your kind expressions of goodwill towards Ireland.  May I assure you that those sentiments are most heartily reciprocated by me and by the people of Ireland in our feelings towards Tanzania.

Indeed, the warm relations between our two countries were reflected earlier in the visit of then President Nyerere to Ireland in September 1979 and the State visit here of my predecessor President Hillery and his wife in February 1980.

Tanzania is a young nation in terms of the number of years since independence.  However, its roots go far back to the dawn of history, over two million years ago, when early human beings walked the plains of the Serengeti.  We too have an ancient history which shares many similarities with Tanzania, so it is no wonder that Irish people feel so much at home here.            

Tanzanian society today reflects the varied cultures and peoples, African, Arab, Indian and European, who have influenced its history over the centuries. One of the most striking features of contemporary Tanzania is the extent to which these diverse peoples have been brought together in harmony and tolerance into a united nation.  The promotion of Kiswahili as the national language has undoubtedly been a major factor in the fostering of national unity and the reduction of a sense of difference between the various tribes.

The valuing of diversity within a multicultured society requires that we listen to others, that we seek to understand them and try to draw strength from diversity.  Respect for the differences of others is a firm basis for the acceptance of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the individual.  The spirit of unity and mutual tolerance which is found in Tanzania, and which I hope will continue to flourish here, represents a practical implementation of this culture of listening.

Unfortunately, the recent terrible events in neighbouring Rwanda are a tragic example of what can happen if individuals and governments do not listen.  The horrific images of massacre and genocide that have been carried around the globe force us, as individuals and as peoples, to ask searching and often painful questions:  Why did the tragedy of Rwanda have to happen?  Could it have been prevented?  How could our international political institutions have better protected the innocent from killings and mutilations? 

The challenge posed to each of us by these urgent questions is fundamentally a moral one.  If we fail to address the issues raised by what has happened in Rwanda we are diminishing the value of our common humanity.

The Government and people of Tanzania have come face to face with the tragedy of Rwanda and have demonstrated an unparalleled spirit of humanity and generosity to the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have sought sanctuary here despite the very serious consequences that this influx of refugees has had on the local population and environment. Tomorrow I will have an opportunity to give personal witness to that generosity when I visit Ngara.

The visit will also allow me to pay tribute to the work of the international and local relief agencies and NGOs, including Irish NGOs, such as Concern, Trócaire and GOAL, who are active in the humanitarian effort.  Although Ireland is geographically distant from Rwanda it is close in spirit to the people of Rwanda who have suffered so much.  The response of the Irish people to appeals for assistance to help cope with the great humanitarian tragedy that has unfolded is matched only by the outstanding generosity of the Tanzanian people in accepting so many refugees from the terrible atrocities that were visited on them and their families and neighbours.

Yet even in the midst of such bleakness and desolation the long and painful process of reconciliation must be promoted and nurtured.  What is required now is the creation of a stable situation inside Rwanda.  If we are to encourage the early return of the refugees to their homes, international assistance in the rehabilitation of the country's infrastructure will be required urgently.  A vital element in securing stability in the country is political dialogue between the parties, which Tanzania has been facilitating through the Arusha accord negotiations.  I most heartily commend Your Excellency and your Government for your exemplary commitment towards the re-establishment of peace and security in Rwanda and I earnestly hope that your efforts will soon be crowned by success.

Your Excellency,

I know that Tanzania is changing very rapidly, both economically and politically.  Under your leadership the country has embarked on a wide-ranging and comprehensive programme of economic reforms and restructuring.

The remarkable economic progress which has been achieved since the early 1980s, as shown by the level of economic activity and private sector dynamism, is testimony to the success of the economic reforms.  Your Excellency's Government is to be congratulated on its achievements to date and especially for the fact that these reforms have been combined with the maintenance of political and economic stability, and a determination to focus more attention on the social sectors .

Your Excellency and the Government are also to be congratulated on the smooth progress of Tanzania's transition to a multi-party system.  The effective participation of all Tanzanian men and women in the processes of government is an essential component of a functioning democracy and of sustainable development, as is freedom of expression by individuals and the media.  An equally important element, which I would categorise as essential also for sustained economic development, is the effective operation of the rule of law and protection and promotion of the rights of the individual. I appreciate and welcome the attention paid by Tanzania to these fundamental values.

Your Excellency,

Although relatively distant in terms of geography, I feel that the peoples of Tanzania and of Ireland are very close in many other important respects, not least in their friendly and outgoing manner and in their well known generosity to those in need.  Both countries experienced colonisation for  a significant length of time.  Like their Tanzanian colleagues, Irish soldiers are serving abroad with the United Nations in the cause of international peace-keeping. 

In Ireland over the past forty years, we have gone through a relatively rapid transition from a rural society, based on agriculture, with comparatively few amenities to a modern, industrialised, export-orientated economy.  Our comparatively recent experience in the development of a modern economy as well as our shared historic experiences enable us to achieve an empathy with you here in Tanzania.  It is for those reasons that I believe that we have been able to cooperate so successfully with your Government and with the people of Tanzania in devising programmes that draw on our shared experiences and expertise and which are helping in the transformation of the Tanzanian economy.

Our links with Tanzania have become increasingly close since the late 1970s and we place a very high priority on those links.  In fact our commitment in Tanzania, although modest in relative terms, is one of the largest that Ireland has in Africa.  I am pleased to note that, thanks to the spirit of partnership and dialogue which exists with Government and local authorities of Tanzania, a very productive programme has been created focused on capacity building and the development of your country's great human resources. 

My visit to Tanzania will provide me with a valuable opportunity to learn more about your beautiful country, to meet its people and experience their culture and way of life, and to learn about ways in which we in Ireland can continue to cooperate with them in building the modern Tanzania.

Your Excellency,

In spite of the disparity in size between our two countries and the geographical distance which separates us, there have been significant contacts between us and a sharing of attitudes on a wide variety of issues. 

We look forward to continuing our close and friendly relationship with Tanzania and implementing our shared commitment to create a world free of violence, oppression and poverty.

May I propose a toast to the President and the people of Tanzania and the continuing friendship and co-operation between our two countries.

Afaya ! (Health !)