Lee Kuan Yew - Obituary Condolences from World Leaders

Former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on 23 March 2015. Formal messages of condolences has been sent from leaders around the world. Here is a snap shot.

USA
President Barrack Obama
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Singapore’s Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew.  On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to the Lee family and join the people of Singapore in mourning the loss of this remarkable man.  A visionary who led his country from Singapore’s independence in 1965 to build one of the most prosperous countries in the world today, he was a devoted public servant and a remarkable leader.  Minister Mentor Lee’s views and insights on Asian dynamics and economic management were respected by many around the world, and no small number of this and past generations of world leaders have sought his advice on governance and development.  I personally appreciated his wisdom, including our discussions during my trip to Singapore in 2009, which were hugely important in helping me formulate our policy of rebalancing to the Asia Pacific.  He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one the great strategists of Asian affairs.

Malaysia
Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. On behalf of all Malaysians, my deepest condolences to the people of Singapore. Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew's achievements were great, and his legacy is assured.


Russia
President Vladimir Putin
Mr Putin expressed high praise for the socioeconomic advances and science and technology progress that Singapore achieved under Lee Kuan Yew. “Over his decades of work as Prime Minister and in other high government posts, he earned his compatriots’ sincere love and respect and won the highest international influence,” the President notedMr Putin also said in his message that Russia will remember Lee Kuan Yew as a consistent supporter of developing friendly relations between Russia and Singapore and a leader who made a great personal contribution to strengthening the two countries’ mutually advantageous bilateral cooperation.

Australia
Prime Minister Tony Abbot
Today, we mourn the passing of a giant of our region. Fifty years ago, Lee Kuan Yew led a vulnerable, fledgling nation to independence. Today, thanks to his vision and determination, Singapore is one of the world’s most successful countries. In Lee Kuan Yew’s own words, Singapore’s remarkable journey has been from 'third world to first’. Thanks to his leadership, Singapore is now one of the world’s most prosperous nations, a financial powerhouse, and one of the world's easiest places to do business. Our region owes much to Lee Kuan Yew. Here in Australia and beyond, leaders sought and learned from his wise counsel. As Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew enjoyed close relationships with successive Australian Prime Ministers and worked with them to establish the strong partnership that Singapore and Australia have today. At every stage, Australia and Singapore have stood shoulder to shoulder. We continue to do so today, as we salute one of the significant leaders of our time. On behalf of the Australian Government and people, I extend my condolences to Mr Lee’s family and to the people of Singapore. 

China
Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli
2015年3月23日，国务院副总理张高丽就新加坡前总理李光耀不幸逝世向新加坡副总理张志贤致唁电。张高丽在唁电中表示，李光耀先生是中新关系的奠基人、中国人民的老朋友,为促进中新合作作出了卓越贡献。中方愿与新方一道，继承并发扬中新友好传统，充分发挥中新双边合作机制作用，保持两国合作良好势头，推动中新关系得到更大的发展。



United Kingdom
Prime Minister David Cameron
I am sad to hear of the death of Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Lee Kuan Yew personally shaped Singapore in a way that few people have any nation. He made his country into one of the great success stories of our modern world. That Singapore is today a prosperous, secure and successful country is a monument to his decades of remarkable public service. He was always a friend to Britain, if sometimes a critical one, and many British Prime Ministers benefited from his wise advice, including me. Lady Thatcher once said that there was no Prime Minister she admired more than Mr Lee for ‘the strength of his convictions, the clarity of his views, the directness of his speech and his vision of the way ahead’. His place in history is assured, as a leader and as one of the modern world’s foremost statesmen.

Japan
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Singapore Founding Father as well as your own father, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, and on my behalf, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you and your own family and to the Government and people of the Republic of Singapore. His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew is one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced.  With his incomparable leadership and unparalleled insights, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew played, for more than half a century and throughout his life, a key role not only in achieving Singapore’s remarkable economic growth and prosperity but also in securing peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region and the world.  He was highly revered all over the world.  In the bilateral context, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, during and after his tenure as Prime Minister, frequently visited Japan including his State Visit to Japan in 1968 and made outstanding contributions in the advancement of the today’s good and close relations between Singapore and Japan.  I still vividly remember how much I was impressed by his profound wisdom, including when I met him in person in 2014. The demise of such a great leader is indeed a great loss not only to your country but also to the entire international community.  At this time of bereavement, I hope that your people will overcome this grievous loss and, under your good leadership, your nation will build upon his legacy and achieve further success. May his legacy live on, may his soul rest in eternal peace. 


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