TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE BIBLE
His Imperial Majesty HAILE SELASSIE I
Emperor of Ethiopia, says:
WE IN ETHIOPIA HAVE ONE OF THE OLDEST VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE,
but
however old the version may be, in whatever language it might
be written, the Word remains one and the same. It transcends
all boundaries of empires and all conceptions of race. It
is eternal.
No doubt you all remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles
of how Philip baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first
Ethiopian on record to have followed Christ, and from that
day onwards the Word of God has continued to grow in the hearts
of Ethiopians. And I might say for myself that from early
childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible and my love
for it increases with the passage of time. All through my
troubles I have found it a cause of infinite comfort.
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest" who can resist an invitation so full
of compassion?
Because of this personal experience in the goodness of the
Bible, I was resolved that all my countrymen should also share
its great blessing and that by reading the Bible they should
find truth for themselves. Therefore, I caused a new translation
to be made from our ancient language into the language which
the old and the young understood and spoke.
Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumbling before
him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting.
But he must realise that the Bible is his refuge, and the
rallying point for all humanity. In it man will find the solution
of his present difficulties and guidance for his future action,
and unless he accepts with clear conscienceof the Bible and
its great Message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part
I glory in the Bible.
RELIGION
We are gratified in particular, to note that the work of
this conference has been concerned purely with religious,
spiritual matters free from extraneous political considerations.
This is only fitting and proper, for the church, as a symbol
of peace, must follow the path of peace in all parts of the
world. For world peace can only be made abiding by the grace
of God, through the prayers of the Holy Fathers. The truth
of this cardinal fact is evident to all mankind.
Therefore, it has become the noble responsibility of Christians,
and peoples of other faiths and their leaders throughout the
world, to pray and to work hard for the preservation of world
peace.
We have always been religious, ever since childhood, ever
since the day our father, Ras Makonnen, taught us the commandment
of Our Lord the Creator.
But we don't consider our religion alone valid and have granted
the people the freedom to observe any religion they please.
We believe in the reunification of the churches, which is
why we were so happy to meet Pope Paul VI during our voyage
to Italy. We were greatly taken with him, we judged him a
man of superior capacity, especially as regards his intention
to work towards church unity. He received us with great friendliness.
MORALITY:
ITS BETTER TO GIVE
Wise men have always known the deep and pervading truth that
it is better to give than to receive, for even as it conflicts
with selfish and ambitious desires, it moderates and controls
them.
Giving always demands sacrifice. To overcome the temptation
to enjoy mere daily comfort, to press resolutely and patiently
forward on the scheduled way, are true tests of the high degree
of determination that should bind you together. Memories of
past injustices should not divert us from the more pressing
business at hand.
We must live in peace with our former colonizers, shunning
recrimination and bitterness and fore-swearing the luxury
of vengeance and retaliation, lest the acid of hatred erode
our souls and poison our hearts.
Let us act as befits the dignity which we claim for ourselves
as Africans, proud of our own special qualities, distinctions,
and abilities. We must speak out on major issues, courageously,
openly and honestly, and in blunt terms of right and wrong.
If we yield to blandishments or threats, if we compromise
when no honourable compromise is possible, our influence will
be sadly diminished and our prestige woefully prejudiced and
weakened.
On this day which men of earth and angels of heaven could
neither have foreseen nor known, I give thanks unutterable
by the mouth of man to the living God who has enabled me to
be present among you.
Today is the beginning of a new era in the history of Ethiopia.
Since this is so, do not reward evil for evil, do not commit
any act of cruelty like those which the enemy committed against
us. Do not allow the enemy any occasion to foul the good name
of Ethiopia.
We shall take his weapons and make him return by the way
he came.
We believe in cooperation and collaboration to promote the
cause of international security, the equality of man and the
welfare of mankind.
We believe in the peaceful settlement of all disputes without
resorting to force. And in accordance with the charter of
O.A.U. we will strive to eradicate colonialism, racism and
apartheid from the face of the earth, to frustrate the efforts
being made by foreign powers to dictate the destiny of the
African continent, and we will continue to stand.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Colonialism and the policy of racism impose soul searching
questions of human rights, weighing equally on the conscience
of all men and nations of good-will. History amply shows that
the freedom enjoyed by the many becomes fragile when the denial,
even to the few, of basic human rights is tolerated.
Our efforts as free men must be to establish new relationships,
devoid of any resentment and hostility, restored to our belief
and faith in ourselves as individuals, dealing on a basis
of equality with other equally free people.
We believe in cooperation and collaborration to promote the
cause of international security, the equality of man and the
welfare of mankind.
We believe in the peaceful settlement of all disputes without
resorting to force.
All well ordered and modern states can only base themselves
upon Courts of Justice and Conduct of Laws which are just,
correct and geared towards the protection of the rights of
individuals. Justice is a product of education.
Man's ingratitude to man is often manifested in willingness
to relegate human beings to the scrapheaps of life when they
enter the twilight of their careers and younger brains and
stronger arms are found to replace them
UNITY
Ethiopia is a nation fully committed to African unity and
to the greater guise of world peace and shall continue to
support and strengthen the O.A.U., which was established as
an African instrument for peace and progress.
O.A.U.
The Organization of African Unity, is an organization which
the people of our vast continent have established with a view
to performing certain specific tasks.
Briefly speaking, the organization is established for the
purpose of protecting in a better fashion, the independence
of African States.
It is also meant to expedite the economic and social progress
through cooperation of African peoples. It also has the important
task of assisting in the maintenance of international peace
and security.
We know that unity can be and has been attained among men
of the most disparate origins, that difference of race, of
religion, of culture, of tradition, are no insurmountable
obstacles to the coming together of peoples.
We stand today on the stage of world affairs, before the
audience of world opinion. We have come together to assert
our role in the direction of world affairs and to discharge
our duty to the great continent whose two hundred and fifty
million people we lead. Africa is today at mid-course, in
transition from the Africa of Yesterday to the Africa of Tomorrow.
Even as we stand here, we move from the past into the future
The task on which we have embarked, the making of Africa,
will not wait we must act, to shape and mould the future and
leave our imprint on events as they pass into history.
We seek, at this meeting, to determine whither we are going
and to chart the course of our destiny. It is no less important
that we know whence we came. An awareness of our past is essential
to the establishment our personality and our identity as Africans.
This world was not crested piecemeal. Africa was born no
later and no earlier than any other geographical area on this
globe. Africans, no more and no less than other men, possess
all human attributes, talents and deficiencies, virtues and
faults. Thousands of years ago, civilizations flourished in
Africa which suffer not at all by comparison with those of
other continents. In those centuries, Africans were politically
free and economically independent. Their social patterns were
their own and their cultures truly indigenous.
The obscurity which enshrouds the centuries which elapsed
beteeen those earliest days and the rediscovery of Africa
is being gradually dispersed. What is certain is that during
those long years Africans were born, lived and died. Men on
other parts of this earth occupied themselves with their own
concerns and, in their conceit, proclaimed that the world
began and ended at their horizons. All unknown to them, Africa
developed in its own pattern, growing in its own life and,
in the Nineteenth Century, finally re-emerged into the world's
consciousness. The events of the past hundred and fifty years
require no extended recitation from us. The period of colonialism
into which we were plunged culminated with our continent fettered
and bound; with our once proud and free peoples reduced to
humiliation and slavery; with Africans terrain cross-hatched
and checker - boarded by artificial and arbitrary boundaries
Many of us, during those bitter yearn were overwhelmed in
battle, and those who escaped conquest did so at the costs
of desperate resistance and bloodshed. Others were sold into
bondage as the price extracted by the colonialists for the
'protection' which they extended and the possessions of which
they disposed. Africa was a physical resource to be exploited
and Africans were chattels to be purchased bodily or, at best,
peoples to be reduced to vasselage and lackeyhood. Africa
was the market for the produce of other nations and the source
of the raw materials with which their factories were fed.
Today, Africa has emerged from this dark passage, Our Armageddon
is past. Africa has been reborn as a free continent and Africans
have been reborn as free men. The blood that was shed and
the sufferings that were endured are today Africa's advocates
for freedom and unity. Those men who refused to accept the
judgement passed upon them by the colonisers, who held unswervingly
through the darkest hours to a vision of an African emancipated
from political, economic and spiritual domination, will be
remembered and revered wherever Africans meet. Many of them
never set foot on this continent. Others were born and died
here. What we may utter today can add little to the heroic
struggle of those who, by their example, have shown us how
precious are freedom and human dignity and of how little value
is life without them. Their deeds are witten in history.
Africa's victory, although proclaimed, is not yet total,
and areas of resistance still remain. Today, we name as our
first great task the final liberating of those Africans still
dominated by foreign exploitation and control. With the goal
in sight and uriqualified triumph within our grasp, let us
not now falter or lag or relax. We must make one final supreme
effort now, when the struggle grows weary, when so much has
been lost, that the thrilling sense of achievement has brought
us near satiation. Our liberty is meaningless unless all Africans
are free. our brothers in the Rhodesias, in Mozambique, in
Angola, in South Africa cry out in anguish for our support
and assistance. We must urge on their behalf their peaceful
accession to independence. We must align and identify ourselves
with all aspects of their liberation and not fail to back
our words with action. To them we say, your pleas shall not
go unheeded. The resources of Africa and all freedom-loving
nations are marshalled in your service. Be of good heart,
for your deliverance is at hand.
1. One important lesson that we have learnt from the experience
of the last ten years is that we cannot leave the further
progress of African unity to take its own direction at its
own pace without active guidance from us.
The volume of intra-African trade, which at present, accounts
for less than ten percent of our total foreign trade should
be progressively increased, so that by the end of the decade
trade among African countries should occupy a significant
place in the exports of each of our countries.
2. African countries should establish progressive targets
for reducing tariffs and other trade barriers among themselves.
3. Our Ministers charged with the responsibility of economic
planning should hold regular consultations so as to harmonise
our development policies and plans and to open up potential
avenues for the expansion of intra-African trade.
Through regular consultations, we should undertake to identify
the need for and to establish industries which may cater to
our common needs.
This is important, because the scale on which modern industries
can become viable today necessitates that we should create
in Africa wide economic bases to support a balanced economic
state.
GOVERNMENT
When a whole nation accepts and maintains a government in
existence, it means that the nation recognizes that government.
There is always something moving, brewing. There are ambitious
people everywhere. Wicked people. The only thing to do is
to deal with them with courage and decision. One must beware
of uncertainty, weakness or conflicting emotions - they lead
to defeat.
It is our opinion that the world has not changed at all.
We believe that such changes have modified nothing. We don't
even notice any difference between monarchies and republics:
to us, they appear two substantially similar methods of governing
a nation.
Democracy, Republic: What do these words signify? What have
they changed in the world? Have men become better, more loyal,
kinder? Are the people happier? All goes on as before, as
always. Illusions, illusions.
One should consider the interests of a nation before subverting
it with words. Democracy is necessary in some cases and we
believe some African peoples might adopt it. But in other
cases it is a handful, a mistake.
We are all adherent, whatever our internal political systems,
of the principles of democratic action. Let us apply these
to the unity we seek to create.
Force must be used against force. We ourselves, by virtue
of our descent from the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, ever
since we accepted in trust, in 1916, first the regency of
the Ethiopian realm and later, the Imperial Dignity, right
up to the present, we have set out to the best of our ability,
to improve, gradually, internal administration by introducing
into the country western modes of civilization through which
our people may attain a higher level.
In explanation of the notion 'gradually': unless it is through
coaxing a child and getting it accustomed, it will not be
pleased if one takes from it what it has seized with its hand.
When one gives such a baby any sort of food, it will not wish
to eat it, unless one shows it to the child and lets it taste
it. Unless they give it milk or other soft food until it grows
teeth, it will not be able to eat when they place bread or
meat before them.
And similarly with people who have lived by custom only,
without learning at school, without absorbing knowledge by
the ear or observing and searching with the eye, it is necessary
to accustom them, through educations to abandon habits by
which they have for long been living, to make them accept
new ways. yet not by hasty or cruel methods but by patience
and study. gradually and over a prolonged period.
Only a system which tolerates dissent can survive
It gives us great pleasure to appear before this distinguished
assemblage and we bring you the fraternal salutations of the
Ethiopian people.
The people of Ethiopia and Trinidad and Tobago are joined
in a massive and continuous effort to create for themselves
a new and better way of life. They face many of the same problems.
The hopes and aspirations which they share derive from the
same essential beliefs in the nature and destiny of man. It
is thus inevitably true that there should exist between those
two great peoples strong and lasting ties of friendship and
understanding
Your role as the representatives of the people is a particularly
critical one in the councils of the twentieth century. The
manner in which a representative of the people should properly
discharge his responsibilities has long been a matter for
learned discussion among philosophers and political scientists.
The world of the developing nations is creating new problems
for the scholars to ponder as new societies are emerging to
deal with the intricate and explosive questions of national
and institutional development.
Is a representative responsible only to a constituency or
to the particular group or interest which has chosen or appointed
him? Certainly this responsibility Must be an element in the
thought and action of such a man, but there are higher values
and greater interests and responsibilities than these.
Obstacles
Sectional, tribal and other divisive factors often pose major
obstacles to national development. In their expanded sense,
as narrowly national and ideological interests, they threaten
unity and progress.
No one is today so foolish as to believe thay any one nation
constitutes a perfect monolith of faith and ideology. Nor
could anyone wish that there should be such utter vanity of
thought and aspiration.
The systems of Government which have sought to impose uniformity
of belief have survived briefly and then expired, blinded
and weakened by obsessive reliance upon their supposed infallibility.
The only system of Government which can survive is one which
is prepared to tolerate dissent and criticism and Which accepts
these as useful and in any case, inevitable aspects of all
social and political relations.
The tolerance of dissent and criticism within a Government
proceeds from a single essential premise: that the Government
exists to serve the people generally. Government servants,
whether designated as representatives or not, have a trust
to work for the general welfare.
The same trust exists among the member states of international
organizations. The members of such organizations must adhere
to some tacit or expressed conception of international welfare.
Common Goals
In the case of the Organization of African Unity, it is an
African Unity, it is an African welfare; in the case of the
United Nations Organization, it is world welfare.
In one way or another, the member nation must accept in thought,
spirit and action the basic premise of their institutions
that men of all races, beliefs and status share some essential
common goals.
From this premise, no great and easy actions follow as corollaries.
The representatives of peoples and nations can only come together
with open and objective minds and willing hearts to engage
in dialogue, without rigid dogmas and slogans and without
violence.
Working in this way achieves no instant Utopia. It may, however,
enable us to achieve together what it is possible to achieve
and to move forward steadily, if not always in great haste,
with some degree of harmony and mutual understanding.
Domestically, we can build strong and happy and resourceful
societies. internationally, we can force the end of oppression
of man by man and nation by nation. We can bring about the
security and mutual trust which will open the way to the greater
human achievements for which the needs of mankind now cry
out.
(He concluded:) Permit me to express my heartfelt gratitude
for the reception accorded me by the people and Government
of Trinidad and Tobago.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership does not mean domination. The world is always
well supplied with people who wish to rule and dominate others.
The true leader is a different sort; he seeks effective activity
which has a truly beneficient purpose. He inspires others
to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of wisdom,
leads the way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations.
The art of leadership is in the ability to make people want
to work for you, while they are really under no obligation
to do so. Leaders are people, who raise the standards by which
they judge themselves and by which they are willing to be
judged. The goal chosen, the objective selected, the requirements
imposed, are not mainly for their followers alone. They develop
with consumate energy and devotion, their own skill and knowledge
in order to reach the standard they themselves have set.
This whole-hearted acceptance of the demands imposed by even
higher standards is the basis of all human progress. A love
of higher quality, we must remember, is essential in a leader.
The true leader is one who realizes by faith that he is an
instrument in the hands of God, and dedicates himself to be
a guide and inspirer of the nobler sentiments and aspirations
of the people.
He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline
and moral restraints. This details the correction and improvement
of his personal character, the checking of passions and desires
and an exemplary control of one's bodily needs and desires.
To be first in place, one must be first in merit as well.
He who has not learned to render prompt and willing service
to others will find it difficult to win and keep the goodwill
and cooperation of his subordinates. A leader will kindle
interest, teach, aid, correct and inspire. Those whom he leads
will cooperate with him in maintaining discipline for the
good of the group. He will instruct his followed in the goals
towards which to strive, and create in them a sense of mutual
effort for attaining the goal.
EDUCATION
A strong nation and a free nation can only base itself upon
education.
In order to make life worthwhile it is also necessary to
acquire other things that can only come about after the acquisition
of learning. Learning and technical training must be nurtured
by faith in God, reverence for the human soul, and respect
for the reasoning mind.
There is no safer anchorage for our learning, our lives and
our actions than that provided by divine teachings coupled
with the best in human understanding. The leaders developed
here should be guided by the fundamental values and the moral
power which have for centuries constituted the essence of
our religious teachings.
These are crucial times when nations rise against nations,
tensions increase and disaster is possible at any moment.
Distances are shrinking. Peace and life itself are threatened
by misunderstanding and conflict. Now is the time when man's
relationship to God must be the foundation for all his efforts
toward enlightenment, and learning the basis for understanding
cooperation and peace.
The existence of a skilled and trained manpower is an absolute
necessity for the progress and development of any country.
Therefore, it is the sacred duty and responsibility of students
and parents to see to it that the mistakes of the past are
not repeated and that time which should be devoted to the
pursuit of learning is not wasted by students heedlessly,
following the instigation of a few misguided troublemakers
who have yet to understand the value and the true meaning
of education.
The salvation of our country Ethiopia, we have repeatedly
stated to you, lies primarily in education. As Ethiopia is
one, all Ethiopians are also one and education is the only
way to maintain the condition.
In all countries of the modern world, special competence
is required to deal with the advancement of agriculture, industry,
commerce and the civil service. That competence, can be secured
only through the facilities provided in modern universities.
We believe that the universities today stand as the most
promising hope for constructive solutions to the problems
that beset the modern world, problems which prevent the peaceful
cooperation of nations and which threaten the world and humanity
with death and disaster.
From universities must come men, ideas, knowledge, experience,
technical skills and the deep human understanding vital to
fruitful relations among nations. Without these, world order
for which we have so long strived, cannot be established.
A well informed public opinion is essential to the growth
of political and social awareness. Only he who is informed
can comment intelligently on his nation's development and
only by such comments can errors be corrected and progress
stimulated.
We must draw on what is valuable and meaningful in our history
and tradition, merging this with the best in modern learning.
We expect from you, to whom we have given the opportunity
of education in your chosen field great and productive service
to our country.
If women develop in education, they can overcome the natural
weakness and serve their country as men do.
It is our wish to assure the spread of education among all
African People as much as among our own subjects.
A father should bequeath not only wealth but also provide
proper education. Education has value when it is established
in individuals of good character with respect to God. We wish
that your destiny shall be embraced in an education firmly
based in good character before men and respect before God.
Any who may wish to profit himself alone from the knowledge
given him, rather than serve others through the knowledge
he has gained from learning, is betraying knowledge and rendering
it worthless.
A man's happiness is to make his brother happy, and to serve
his country. Thus it is possible to justify for knowledge
its high and deserved place. For knowledge is power. If it
is not applied to its proper purpose, to create, let there
be no doubt, it will destroy.
If we have made so many sacrifices for the education of our
youth, it is because we are convinced that only through intellectual
progress and education can Ethiopia come into its own and
make it's just contribution to the history of the Middle East.
We believe that from truth alone is born liberty and only
an educated people can consider itself as really free and
master of its fate. It is only with an educated people that
representative and democratic organs of government can exercise
their influence for national progress.
RESPONSIBILITY
It is both the duty and responsibility of the world's fortunate
few to help fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the unfortunate
many.
As man's faculty attains higher level of development and
sophistication, so do his wants in life.
As generations come and go, those assuming responsibility
for the period do not cease to try and improve on the past
in order to meet newly arising demands. In this respect, it
is quite evident that to march with the time members of the
coming generation should build on what their forefathers have
bequeathed to them.
It is because the present generation is cherishing and keeping
intact what it has received from the past that it has succeeded
in attaining its present stage of development, by making the
necessary changes and improvements called for by conditions
now existing. This would require great foresight and the-work
accomplished as far as regards to this task of great responsibility
is no small matter. It has been fulfilled as a result of God's
blessing and His Divine guidance.
It is both the responsibility of the governor as well as
elders to create harmony among the people in initiating them
to discuss their common problems and work towards the problems
and the betterment of their standard of living.
It is the duty of teachers to direct the thought and outlook
as well as mould the character of their students. For this
reason, the responsibility of teachers in training student-teachers
aimed at the future progress and development of our country
and the proper upbringing of students, could hardly be underestimated.
In the age in which we are living especially when different
philosophies of life are competing against another, the responsibility
of teachers has been even more exacting. Those who will be
serving the people in future should follow this same path
in endeavouring to develop their country and maintain her
freedom. This is one of the main responsibilities of teachers.
In this age when man, through his knowledge of science, has
created dangerous weapons to destroy himself the responsibility
of the great powers for the maintenance of world peace is
well known to everyone. We believe that the exchange of visits
by statesmen to talk over matters on which their points of
view will greatly help remove the misunderstandings and mistrust
prevailing among States.
PLANNING
Planning is the basis of the rational and sustained use of
capital, manpower and time in the acceleration of economic
development.
The history of planning shows that no pioneer plans were
ever executed even partially, much less wholly.
Planning is indispensable for the rational utilization of
both a nation's resources and foreign aid or loans.
As a basis of, and working procedure for, a national socio-economic
policy, a plan is a means whereby a nation can be developed
through the rational utilization of manpower and machinery
for the most important aspects of he country's needs.
The execution of any such plan needs, however, national participation.
You must ensure that in your desire to achieve immediate goals,
long term considerations of equal or greater importance are
not ignored or irrevocably prejudiced. Plan your time and
use both your physical and mental powers purposefully and
productively. Military planning for the security of this continent
must be undertaken in common within a collective framework.
WORK
Every labourer is a father, his labour is his child. Choose
your project carefully and achieve it worthily.
Once a person has decided upon his life work and is assured
that in doing the work for which he is best endowed and equipped,
he is filling a vital need, what he then needs, is faith and
integrity, compiled with courageous spirit so that no longer
preferring himself to the fulfilment of his task, he may address
himself to the problems he must solve in order to be effective.
Rich and poor have always existed and always will. Why? Because
there are those that work and those that don't, those that
wish to earn their living and those that prefer to do nothing.
Those that work, that want to work, are not poor. For it is
true that Our Lord the Creator sends us into the world as
equals, but it is also true that when one is born one is neither
rich nor poor. One is naked. It is later on that one becomes
rich or poor, according to one's desserts.
Yes, we too are aware that giving alms serves no useful purpose.
For there is only one means to solve the poverty problem.
work.
We have said that whoever doesn't work because he doesn't
want to is poor. We have said that wealth has to be gained
through hard work. We have said those who don't work starve.
And now we add that the capacity to earn depends on the individual:
Each individual is responsible for his misfortunes, his fate.
It is wrong to expect help to fall from above, as a gift:
Wealth has to be deserved. Work is one of the commandment
of Our Lord the Creator!
If each and everyone endeavours to cooperate and work in
as much as his capacity permits, our faith rests upon the
Almighty God that he would bless the results for us.
It is not sufficient simply to see and admire the natural
beauty and fertility of Ethiopia.
It is our obligation to work upon and benefit from this country
whose fertile soil has been granted us by the Almighty God.
We have to gain honour and pride for the country.
Whatever the task may be, man may begin it but he cannot
complete it, unless God sustains and supports him. If he fails
to accomplish the task on which he has set out, having worked
to the best of his ability, he is not to be maligned by being
called lazy.
SELF HELP
The people themselves must come to realize their own difficulties
in the development of their community and try to solve them
by collective participation following an order of priority
and taking their potentiality into account.
It is well known to you all that recognizing one's problems
and striving hard to challenge them is a mark of an attempt
at self-sufficiency. Self help in the benefits to be acquired
through education, will save the individual from asking someone's
assistance.
DEVELOPMENT
Although the beginnings of civilization of each country vary
in time, the fundamental factors which gave impetus to each
country to awaken and embark on the road to progress to reach
their present level of development, are those qualities which
are enshrined in the nature of man, namely desire and fortitude.
The partner who places his own short-range ambitions ahead
of the long-range interests of the partnership has embarked
on a course which will ultimately result in the dissolution
of the partnership itself.
It is by the understanding of past difficulties that we can
bequeath fundamental guidance which would be of pride to the
coming generations we therefore urge our people to struggle
and to make sacrifices for those things which will enable
them to ameliorate their conditions of life and leave a richer
heritage.
Economic Development
Where enterprise and initiative are not lacking, the pace
at which the growth of a country's economy normally proceeds
can be quickened or slackened by global developments far or
near. In our effort to raise the living Standard of our beloved
people, in our endeavour to bring prosperity to our country,
the feeling of cooperation and understanding has always characterized
our people.
A special case is the recent development in certain provinces
where the people are seen voluntarily raising funds to build
schools, clinics, roads and similar other projects. What can
give one more pleasure than to see such a measure of self-help
in one's life time, for the prosperity and progress of his
own country? Let every citizen of our empire strive hard to
strengthen this espirit de corps everywhere.
We entrust the spirit of good-will to our people to work
diligently and cooperatively in order to arrive at the realization
of this socioeconomic development that has been launched by
either our government or our people. You have a rich land
that yields a variety of products, do not be contented with
the satisfaction of your bare needs but instead, cultivate
your land among others with oleogenous plants, the seeds of
which you can export for your greater benefit. Use the forest
woods to make furniture and implements and exchange them for
money. Your workmanship will be a monument to your name.
One should realize that thriftiness is the basis for the
accumulation of wealth and the economic growth of a nation.
One seldom minimizes the value of money earned by the sweat
of the brow however small it may be, but for the extravagant
even a huge amount of money is worthless.
The co-operative movement has long been known throughout
the world, and we Ourself have on numerous occasions urged
Our people to join increasingly in cooperative enterprises.
Co-operatives must, ultimately, play a highly important role
in the growth of our economy, and no time can be lost in availing
ourselves of the benefits to be derived from therm During
the past year, we decided upon a programme designed to provide
specific encouragement to the creation of agricultural co-operatives,
and a number of Government-sponsored co-operatives, farms
have been established by Our Ministry of National Community
Development. We have provided lands, agricultural machinery
and expert assistance to these farms and we entertain high
hopes that their success will spur Our people to embark increasingly
upon co-operative endeavours. Should Our people fail to avail
themselves of this opportunity, the consequences will be regrettable
indeed.
Community Development
The fundamental purpose of a community development movement
is to teach the rural people of Our Empire that through cooperative
self-help and a united approach to common problems, the vast
potential for their own self-improvement which they themselves
represent, can be translated into effective programmes which
can do much to improve their standard of living.
Social Development
Lasting progress can only be built on deep and enduring foundations.
When a solid foundation is laid, if the mason is able and
his materials good, a strong house can be built.
To develop oneself, one has to develop one's own initiative
and perseverance - a man has to strive in order to grow. Let
us work out our own programmes in all fields - political,
economic, social and military. Man's contributions which live
to influence the life and progress of posterity, are the most
permanent monuments that can ever be created. We must become
increasingly willing to analyze our efforts, to experiment,
to admit our failures as we take pride in our successes.
LAND POLICY
For those of you who possess the land and labour but lack
capital, we have made credit available at low interest. For
those of you who have the necessary finance but do not possess
land to work on, we have, in accordance with our 'Proclamation'
which entitles every Ethiopian to ownership of land, established
offices in every province through which you may be able to
acquire land. Those who have neither land nor money will be
granted land and financial loans at low interest. For those
of you who possess land, who have financial resources and
manpower, we have made experts available to furnish you with
the necessary guidance and advice in your various undertakings.
Land Reform
The essence of land reform is, while fully respecting the
principle of private ownership, the landless people must have
the opportunity to possess their own land, that the position
of tenant farmers must be improved, and that the system of
taxation applying to land holdings must be the same for all.
It is our aim that every Ethiopian own his own land, in implementation
of this principle. We have ourselves set the example by ordering
that certain lands in Arussi Province heretofore administered
by our Ministry of the Imperial Court be distributed to the
tenants working on them, against payment by each man only
of the nominal fees charged for the transfer and the registration
of this property in his own name.
This has been the basic objective of virtually every modern
programme of land reform; this is the ultimate goal of the
study now being undertaken by the Committee of Land Reform.
RESOURCES
The ultimate resource of a nation is its people. Unless this
resource is employed for the benefit of the nation, unless
the latent good which it represents is exploited to the maximum
for the common good the nation will languish, poor in spirit,
lacking in achievernent.
But no people can make their full contribution to the life
of the nation to which they ovve allegiance unless they possess
and enjoy those few fundamental prerequisites indispensable
to rendering their participation in the affairs of their country
both possible and significant.
The growth of a people is complex and inter-related. Man
must be educated; he cannot come to grips with or cope with
or understand the modern world unless he has been taught about
it. He must be assured of a minimum economic security; concern
himself with matters going beyond the day-to-day satisfaction
of his physical needs. unless he is fed and clothed and sheltered,
nor can he acquire a sufficient degree of social consciousness
to be able to support his own personal interests to the good
of the nation and the development of its society.
Freedom, liberty, the rights of manùthese mean little to
the ignorant, the hungry, the ill-clothed, the badly housed.
It is our desire to see a much larger number of our young
people benefitting from the resources we have our own and
have received as aid from abroad, and our young people graduating
in the fields of technology and industrial relation.
It is essential that, however great the sacrifice needed
to curb economic stagnation may be, available resources be
as judiciously used as possible on a carefully selected list
of priorities.
AGRICULTURE
Since Ethiopia's economy is predominantly agricultural, agriculture
must play a large role in the plans which have been drawn
up, at our command, for our empire's development.
It is the duty of all to apply the skill of their minds to
the factories, the trading centres and the roads and communications
which are also evidence of Ethiopia's prosperity, of Ethiopia's
strength.
During the past year (1958) the abrupt cessation of rainfall
during the growing season caused considerable damage to Ethiopia's
crops. This experience has demonstrated that the rivers of
our country should be devoted to irrigation, so that the food
needs of our ever growing population will no longer be left
at the mercy of the whims and caprices of the elements.
The fruits of the farmer's labour must be enjoyed by him
whose toil has produced the crop. The uses of trees are many
and varied. Groves of trees protect our fields and plantations
from being desiccated by the desert winds which blow from
neighbouring regions During the summer months, they provide
moisture and shade. If trees are not presently planted to
replace those being cut down from time to time, our constant
efforts to conserve and develop the wealth of our country
through the welfare of present and future generations will
be rendered ineffective and futile.
We are greatly grieved to observe the many thousands of gashas
of rich forest land being destroyed every year by reckless
timber-cutting, thoughtless forest burning, unregulated forest
grazing and other misuses of our forest wealth, due to popular
ignorance and desire for temporary advantage on the part of
our people.
The existence or non-existence of forest wealth in a country
is one of the most important factors influencing its development
and progress. The increasing pace of deforestation and the
growing dearth of timber in Ethiopia, caused by unregulated
tree-cutting and the failure to replace these by new plantings,
give us occasion for anxiety that a severe economic problem
will confront the coming generation. It is essential that
steps be taken here and now to stop this wastage and check
this destruction.
In these days when all nations of the world, in recognition
of the tremendous importance of forest wealth, have launched
intensive progranmes for forest conservation and re-forestation,
it behoves our county also to take the appropriate measures
to solve this problem.
It is our wish and our desire that each and every citizen
of our country follow the example we set on this Arbour Day
in planting this tree, and himself plant as many trees as
he can, for his own benefit as well as for the benefit of
future generations.
Without agricultural expansion, industrial growth is impossible.
Great strides, it is true, have been made in introducing industries
into Ethiopia in recent years. But in any less-developed agrarian
country possessing only limited possibilities for selling
the products of its factories in world export markets, industry
can grow only if there exists an increasingly prosperous rural
consumer population. Industrialisation is not an alternative
to the development of agriculture; rather, the development
of agriculture is the essential pre-condition to the growth
of industry.
Measures will shortly be proposed to Parliament for action
to be taken to preserve, for the benefit of present and future
generations, the nation's forests which are not only valuable
in themselves as a source of wood, but act as nature's guardian
against the forces of erosion, which, unchecked, can transform
fertile areas into barren and sterile desert.
FINE ARTS
A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is
expected to bear fruit without flowering and to sacrifice
grace and beauty for mere utility.
Our admiration for the creator's handiwork should not be
limited to those things he has provided us with for our daily
needs, but should include all that is good and beautiful.
It is these tender feelings of deep and silent admiration
evoked from our hearts by the beauties of creation that should
find adequate expression in the fine arts.
Music, drama and the other arts are rooted in the ancient
history of our empire, and their development to an even higher
peak of perfection will be possible in the atmosphere of a
university. Ethiopia possesses an ancient literature and its
study can be fostered here so thag the Ethiopian youth inspired
by this national example, may raise it to yet higher levels
of excellence.
The study of the heroic history of our empire will stimulate
the imagination of building authors and teachers.
HEALTH
There is nothing as precious to man as a sound mind in a
sound body and it is essential that the physical well being
of our people merits as much attention as its spiritual welfare.
INTER AFRICA
There is absolutely no doubt that Africans will eventually
obtain their freedom and independence in spite of their present
difficulties.
The people of African origin have emigrated to all parts
of the world, but wherever they may be, they have similar
historical experience and the problems that await them depend
on sympathy and this can be used by all of us as the basis
for the establishment of greater cooperation, which will be
for our mutual benefit.
Haile Selassie to Parliament in Jamaica: The people
of Jamaica, by and large, have originated in Africa. This
gives us another basis upon which we can contract a healthy
relation because of the fundamental similarity between us,
that will in the long run contribute to a better maintenance
of international peace and security.
The Organization of African Unity is an organization which
the people of our vast continent have established with a view
of performing certain specific tasks. Briefly speaking, the
organization is established for the purpose of protecting
in a better fashion, the independence of African States.
It is also meant to expedite the economic and social progress
through cooperation of African peoples. It also has the important
task of assisting in the maintenance of initernational peace
and security. And in accordance with the Charter of O.A.U.,
we eradicate colonialism and apartheid.
ETHIOPIA'S
WORLD POSITION
Because of her unity and independence, Ethiopia had and still
has jealous enemies and aggressive dissidents.
It is therefore the primary duty of every Ethiopian to safeguard
the unity and freedom that has been fortified since time immemorial
by the courage and bravery of our forefathers. We have to
maintain its integrity, to work and benefit from its existence.
Ethiopia is a nation fully committed to African unity and
to the greater cause of world peace and subsequently shall
continue to support and strengthen the O.A.U., which was established
as an African instrument for peace and progress.
Ethiopia is, by her own choice, a nonaligned state. Our Policies
on the vexatious international issues of the day have been
declared to all, and our adherence to them is steadfast: the
urgent imperative of universal disarmament, the settlement
of disputes by peaceful negotiation, the supremacy of reason
and logic over force and irrationality.
We insist that the way to peace among men and nations rests
in the even-handed application and enforcement of the principles
of the United Nations and Organization of African Unity: non-interference
in the internal affairs of others, self determination for
the remaining dependent peopies of the world, respect for
the territorial integrity of independent states In the conduct
of the international affairs of our nation, we have placed
high value upon personal contacts between peoples and leaders
of nations.
Ethiopia is a peace-loving nation. Except for those times
when it had to rise up in arms to fight-off aggression or
to advance the cause of collective security; there is not
one instance in history of Ethiopia provoking a conflict by
violating territorial integrity or by interfering in the internal
affairs of others, and there will never be any such instance.
However, Ethiopia will never be found wanting in its efforts
to strengthen its defence force, sustained as it is by the
traditional valor of its gallant people, to thwart the designs
of those who are bent on violating the freedom and unity of
its people and its territorial integrity.
INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS
In matters of foreign policy we have been ever guided by
three basic principles. First is our deep conviction that,
where there is no lack of goodwill, all international disputes
can be resolved through negotiations, without recourse to
violence. An inevitable corollary of this belief is our firm
conviction that all nations, whatever their political persuasions,
can live together in peace.
Second is our unswerving devotion to the principle of collective
security.
Third, flowing from the principle of collective security,
is the necessity, in these anxious days when the major powers
are engaged in a frantic arms race, for all countries which
have accepted this principle and assumed a share of the responsibility
for ensuring the peace of the world, to become ever stronger
militarily.
As we have stated time and time again, we are firmly persuaded
that the path to guaranteeing the peace of the world lies
in supporting the principle of collective security ard the
United Nations Charter, combined with a progressive reduction
of the armaments which are being built up throughout the world.
The billions of dollars which are now wasted on this fruitless
effort could with great benefit, be diverted into the constructive
channels of aid for the economic growth of under-developed
countries.
Personal Diplomacy
International friendship can be strenthened and deepened
by the personal exchange of ideas between leaders of nations.
What the economically backward countries are looking forward
to, however is the application of the money now dumped on
destructive armament to the solution of economic problems.
The Need for Concerted Action
What is called for at this critical time is for the international
community to move from mere rejection and condemnation to
taking action. The international community has many options,
but what has been lacking so far is political will.
The world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and
Africa have long recognized, that peace, independence and
prosperity of mankind can be achieved and assured only by
the collective and united efforts of free men who are prepared
to maintain eternal vigilance and abour unceasingly to protect
these most precious of God's gifts.
FATE
Whatever the task may be, man may begin it but he cannot
complete it, unless God sustains and supports him. If he fails
to accomplish the task on which he has set out, having worked
to the best of his ability, he is not to be maligned by being
called lazy.
Man may, at the onset, control the direction which events
take, but once his choice is made, events soon escape his
control and history proceeds by its own force and momentum.
LIFE
What life has taught me on the question of racial discrimination,
I like to share with those who want to learn.
That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and
another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and
abandoned. That until there are no longer first class and
second class citizens of any nation; That until the colour
of a man's skin is no more significance than the colour of
his eyes: That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed
to all, without regard to race; That until that day, the dream
of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international
morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued
but never attained; And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South
Africa in sub-human bondage have been toppled and destroyed;
Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self
interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance
and goodwill; Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings,
equal in the eyes of the Almighty; Until that day, the African
continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if
necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident
in the victory of good over evil. It will be self deceiving
and a waste of time to advocate dialogue with those who are
not ready to listen, because it is obvious that the freedom
of millions is not a commodity subject to bargaining.
It is a fact that young people have always been impatient.
This intemational movement is therefore not surprising. Such
move ments sometimes bring useful ideas into the open, but
very often these ideas turn out to be harmful and contrary
to ordinary progress.
This impatience and agitation result in larue part from a
rnisunderstanding of realities. We are convinced that young
people must learn to use their heads rather than their fists.
They should be heard, but also guided for the common good.
Young people will be young people. You cannot change the
uncouth manners of the youth. Besides there is nothing new
in that: there is never anything new under the sun. They can't
know it because they lack experience, they lack wisdom. Examine
the past: you'll see that the disobedience of the young has
occurred all through history. The young don't know what they
want.
Life is like the theatre - One mustn't try to understand
it all at once and immediately. It is no longer amusing.
There are good men and wicked. The former should be made
use of and the latter punished, without attempting to understand
why the ones are good and the others wicked. We demand too
much of men to be able to respect them ...
That which man dreams of and to Which he aspires, unless
fulfilled in his own lifetime, can produce no actual satisfaction
to him. It will be self deceiving and a waste of time to advocate
dialogue with those who are not ready to listen, because it
is obvious that the freedom of millions is not a commodity
subject to bargaining. It is better to die free than to live
as slaves.
DEATH
Now, however, it has become your fate to obey the order of
the great and merciful Lord, a lot that befalls each and everyone
of us in our turn.
As it were, after you had accomplished what was within your
bounds, you have slept, but although you depart from us physically,
yow works and your name will always remain among us.
On the death of Prince Makonnen:
Mortality is man's inevitable course. We must patiently accept
God's resolution in giving us Makonnen, the one whom he gave
us to be the ornament of our life, and recalling him. Death
changes everything, sweeps everything away. Even mistakes.
QUOTES
Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who
could have acted, the indifference of those who should have
known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it
mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
The glorious pages of human history have been written only
in those moments when men have been able to act in concert
to prevent impending tragedies. By the actions you take you
can also illuminate the pages of history.
When you make man rich in the honours of this world and appoint
him above other creatures, that it be known that It is not
for his merit but only through your benevolence and generosity,
Since no creature created in Your image and to Your pattern
gives up hope that everything he begs of You will be done
for him until the day You sever his soul from his body, we
beseech You that Ethiopia should not remain with her freedom
extinct and prostrate under an alien ruler, so that the mouth
of her people be silenced for fear of a foreign governor,
but rather, that You will save them by Your deeds of kindness
lest they remain with their hearts oppressed through being
deprived of their own Ethiopian ruler who was leading them
towards civilization under a light yoke and with gladness
O Lord, abode of exiles, light of the blind, truth and justice
are Your thrones. Receive us who have been exiled for our
freedom's sake, who have had to leave our country on account
of violent assault, In praying to You thus, it is not for
our righteousness but for Your great mercies.
Technical and scientific advances have combined to raise
mankind to a level of material achievement never before realized.
A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even
the onslaught of pouring rain, gushing torrents and strong
winds will be able to pull down. Some people have written
the story of my life representing as truth what in fact derives
from ignorance, error or envy; but they cannot shake the truth
from its place, even if they attempt to make others believe
it.
Sports being the symbol of fraternity and team work there
can be no doubt of its utility or of the sound virtues which
it develops.
Unemployment is harmful - it harms and damages the unemployed
himself, his nation and his country. Employers should strive
to create more jobs. Workers should attend to their work with
diligence and vigour. These twin attributes are the cornerstones
for progress.
I know of the love which the Jamaican people entertain for
the people of Ethiopia and the welcome which you have given
me this day is evidence of it. I know that the Jamaican people
were very sympathetic when Ethiopia was occupied during the
fascist regime. During that time, Jamaicans as well as others
who had African blood supported the Ethiopian Liberation Movement.
And now that we are free we must assume the responsibility
to work for the greater unity of all peoples of African origin.
It is quite true that a country can achieve material progress
alone. However, we know from the experiences of the past that
internaltional cooperation tends to quicken the pace for progress
of individual countries.
This is again another area for us to think about and see
in what way we can further expand the relations of the people
of Jamaica and Ethiopia.
From another fundamental point of view, this is precisely
why the O.A.U. has been established. It is because the African
continent, which comprises more than 250 million people, if
it were to remain divided among more than 30 states, their
individual voices would not carry weight. It is precisely
why, since there is an identity of interest, we have attempted
to include Jamaica.
Also, so that we can carry this weight in the councils of
nations, and also through the process of cooperation and expanded
economic relations we might be in a position to quicken the
pace of development of the individual member countries of
the O A U.
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