TRIBUTE ABDUL - Perdana Library

TRIBUTE TO TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
the Champs Elysee to lay a ceremonial wreath on the tomb of the
Unknowm Warrior at the Arc de Triomphe, the Tunku paid an
official call on President de Gaulle at the Elysee Palace, and then to a
most genial lunch with the Prime Minister, M. Debre, at the Hotel
Matignon, with no less than eight members of the Cabinet present,
and later the two Prime Ministers talked privately for an hour.
If there is any need to establish the esteem in which the Tunku
and Malaya are held in France, then it is most evident in his reception
by President de Gaulle. The Press learned from the Elysee
Palace, in fact they were officially informed, that it was "an unusually
long conversation." The Tunku and the President conferred for
more than an hour and a half with only an interpreter present.
Officials in the Elysee Palace made no attempt to hide their surprise
and delight about what was obviously something unique in their
official experience. I learned that usually the President receives
callers for five or ten minutes, and exceptionally for half an hour.
The Protocol Officers could not recall any previous appointment
lasting so long as this one.
Their conversation ranged over most of the world, but particularly
Algeria in relation to Africa, and South-East Asia and the
East in relation to China. Newsmen told me later that these long
talks were most unusual, and a number of correspondents disclosed
their interest by ringing up the Malayan Embassy to ask if they
could come along to the Ambassador's reception that night.
The long meeting between the Tunku and the President seemed to
be the gossip talk of Paris, certainly among officials. That meeting
was the highlight of the very cordial visit to France, and we left
Paris with very much regret.
Summing it all up, the Tunku's tours in Europe were a resounding
success, and a great tribute to the real friendship and genuine
goodwill the Governments and people of West Germany, Belgium,
Holland and France feel for the nation and people of Malaya, and
in particular the regard in which they hold our Prime Minister,
Tunku Abdul Rahman, for his leadership and statesmanship, his
achievements and his ideals.
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