Remarks at Swearing In of Christopher J. LaFleur, Ambassador Designate to Malaysia

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the LaFleur family, Ambassador Ghazzali and Ambassador Kato, thank you for your presence here today. Indeed, thank you all for joining us today as we swear in Christopher J. LaFleur, President Bush’s choice to be our next Ambassador to Malaysia.

Ambassador Ghazzali, we are delighted you could be here. You’ve represented your nation here in our capitol through a certain amount of turbulence, for my country, certainly, but also for our bilateral relations. Today, however, we can say that as the United States seeks to prevail in the war against terrorism, Malaysia has become a political, economic, and strategic partner of great and growing importance. We thank you, sir, for all you have done to promote the ties between our two nations.

In turn, we are sending one of the most talented diplomats in our Foreign Service to represent us in Kuala Lumpur. Chris LaFleur has the breadth of experience and the depth of expertise to give our relationship new momentum, precisely at the right time.

Indeed, Prime Minister Abduallah Badawi, when he visited Washington in July, noted famously that our bilateral relations are “the best we’ve ever had.” And perhaps that should come as no surprise. We share many values and beliefs, as well as the distinction of being democracies with ethnically diverse populations, who somehow manage to coexist peacefully.

Moreover, Malaysia plays a significant leadership role in southeast Asia, but also in the wider Islamic community and around the world. Indeed, at the moment, Malaysia is serving as the Chair of both the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement. Chris, we will look to you to sustain and expand our political cooperation with Malaysia, which is indispensable to our vital interests in the region, but also to our positive engagement with the Muslim world. And I can tell you that will continue to be a top foreign policy goal for this Administration and for administrations to come.

Malaysia certainly matches its political stature in economic might. With an educated populace and expanding GDP, Malaysia has become the United States’ 10^th largest trading partner, worldwide and we are Malaysia’s single largest. Last year, the two-way trade meant jobs for 100,000 Malaysians and nearly twice as many Americans. This is a mutually beneficial relationship we will expect our new Ambassador to protect and to promote.

But our relations generate more than profits and jobs: they generate security. Indeed, we are working together to counter the great threats of our age: terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. As host to a regional counter terrorism center, Malaysia has become a focal point in this fight. And Chris, that will certainly continue to be a top priority in our relations, as will our efforts to improve maritime security and other counter proliferation measures. Of course, Malaysia has unique moral suasion when it comes to helping the people of Iraq and the cause of peace in the Middle East, so Prime Minister Abdullah’s willingness to consider assistance in those efforts is an especially encouraging development, as is the recent release of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

As you can all see, this is a lot to ask of one envoy, but I know Chris LaFleur is more than equal to the task. I have long shared with him a belief in the strategic importance of strong US relations with the nation of Japan and he has done much to make that belief a reality. From his first overseas posting 30 years ago in Sapporo to his time as Chief of Political Military Affairs in Tokyo and the Deputy Chief of Mission to his work as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary here in Washington, Chris has been a steady hand in rough waters and has helped steer that relationship to a new and brighter horizon.

Indeed, his skill has brought clarity to some of the most difficult foreign policy challenges we have faced across Asia in recent decades: from normalization with Vietnam to the Taiwan Strait crisis to our more recent discussions with Japan and South Korea about our defense posture in the region.

I believe one of the secrets of his success is how calm and congenial he is, and more to the point, the steely determination that lies just beneath that placid surface. And while I am certain I speak for everyone here in saying how relieved I am to see you fully restored to good health, Chris, I am also certain there aren’t many people who would be able to hike down a mountain to get help after breaking a leg. Of course, you may well have broken it in the first place because you were too intent on snapping the perfect photograph. Now that’s determination. In fact, rumor has it that Chris is so well known for his tough-minded wisdom that he once served as a judge on the Iron Chef.

But the true maven of good taste in the family is his wife, Keiko Miyazawa. Keiko comes from one of Japan’s most distinguished political families, so she had the good sense to enter the world of fashion instead. She is also what the Japanese call a “Kyouiku Mama.” That means she has dedicated herself to the education of her children, which has clearly paid off. And we are glad to have Sara and Emma here with us today. It is difficult to make it to this pinnacle of a Foreign Service career without the love and support of friends and family, so I want to thank Sara, Emma, and Keiko for helping Chris to succeed. As well as Chris, for his own service to this nation.

The Secretary and I are, indeed, confident that Chris LaFleur will succeed in this new mission and not just because he has the expertise and the experience it takes. To some extent, that is a given in all of our ambassadors. We expect Chris to succeed because he has one of the most important qualities of leadership; he knows how to take care of his people. And that is ultimately how we will judge his tenure as Ambassador. Everyone who serves with him should be able to say that he or she is better off, personally and professionally, for the experience. And Chris, given your track record as a leader and your reputation as a mentor, I am certain that will be the case. Now, if you and Keiko are ready I am ready to swear you in to be our next Ambassador to Malaysia.