Visit of Singapore's Prime Minister. (Lee Kuan Yew) (transcript)

Visit of Singapore's Prime Minister

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of the Republic of Singapore made an official visit to Washington, D.C., October 7-11, 1985, to meet with President Reagan and other government officials.

Following are remarks made by the President and Prime Minister at the arrival ceremony on October 8, 1985.1

President Reagan

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Mrs. Lee of Singapore. We greet you today not only as the leader of Singapore but also as a friend and as a senior world citizen--a statesman.

The dazzling success of Singapore in these last two decades shines as a tribute to the hard work and ingenuity of its people and also as a monument to the wise leadership that you have provided your countrymen over your 26 years in office.

Today it is common to hear of the vitality and progress of the Pacific rim; perhaps more than any other, your country exemplifies the spirit which is catapulting Pacific rim nations into a new age. The people of the United States are …