PRESS CONFERENCE: 74TH BIRTHDAY
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press,
Today I called this press conference in
order, first of all, to convey some of my thoughts about recent happenings and
in the second place, to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions on any
subject you might desire.
First I would like to say a few words on
the recent decision of the International Court of Justice on the legal action
that was brought by Ethiopia and Liberia against South Africa concerning South
West Africa. As everybody knows by now, all mankind is concerned about the
situation in South West Africa, and what the policy of the South African
Government implies to the rest of the world.
The International Court at the Hague has
discussed the South West African question for several years now. Ethiopia,
Liberia and many other African states as well as men of good-will everywhere
have done their best to see that justice is rendered in this case so that the
people in that unfortunate country are freed from the status of oppression to
which they are subjected at the present. Justice is the essence of civilized
existence. Unfortunately the decision of the Court has been influenced more by
political than by legal considerations.
I know of the great hope that was placed
upon the Court when it was established. At the very outset, I know the Court
made useful decisions in certain cases but the tendency of the Court, if we
take the recent decision as an example of what we may expect in the future,
does not inspire confidence, and because of this we feel that there will be a
lesser tendency to resort to judicial settlement of disputes.
The
plaintiffs before the Court were Ethiopia and Liberia, but in a sense, one can
say all peace-loving peoples were somehow concerned about and were anxiously
awaiting the result which was expected to be in accordance with the demands of
justice. It is quite true that judges are free in their task of decision-making
but the decisions must be in accordance with the law. However we must also
point out that humanity has the right to require that certain fundamental institutions
and thoughts of value which are common to all society and are indispensable to
peace be incorporated as part of the principles of international law upon which
the International Court of Justice should base itself. The Statute of the Court
does make adequate provisions for that.
I must point out that this judgment is
contrary to the interests of mankind and more particularly, contrary to the
interests of the African peoples. I say the decision was affected more by
political than legal considerations. However we are not at the end of the road.
I believe we are going to continue to struggle for the removal of the system of
apartheid and oppression in South West Africa, and I am confident that this
struggle will bring about a satisfactory solution to the problem.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, Your long life has
been one of eventful years of accomplishments of many things. Many events have
transpired in the world, too. Which ones does Your Imperial Majesty find the
most significant?
Longevity A Divine Gift
Answer:
I
thank God for giving me such a long life. This is a matter which can be only
considered as a gift from the Almighty. In my long life I have seen and
experienced many things. Ever since I was 18 years old, I saw many things happening
both in my own country and abroad. It is difficult to point out the most
important events during that long period which comprises many decades. The two
events that stand out, and which affected and influenced the course of events
throughout the world, have of course been World War I and World War II; the
bloodshed during the two world wars, why they were fought, how they were
concluded and the aftermath of those wars. In particular, speaking of these
world wars, I recollect of the influence leaders exerted on the course of
events. The history of World War I, of World War II and the aftermath will
always stand out in the annals of history. We know those who were responsible
for those wars – the men with evil purpose and evil mind – who took the leadership
in certain parts of the world and the events that followed. Anybody who has
lived through these two great wars and the bloodshed must recognize the need
for effective safeguards to maintain international peace.
I also know that certain institutions in
certain states were responsible for the outbreak of the world wars. Since then
democratic institutions and procedures have been strengthened throughout the
world, and I am confident that as a result of this experience of the last
decades we are in a better position to maintain world peace.
Of course, the Second World War had
affected Ethiopia. It is a well-known fact that our country fell victim to the
aggressive forces of Fascism. I had the privilege of pleading the case before
the League of Nations in Geneva but the League's collective security system had
not been strengthened and there were no standard procedures to which there was
universal adherence for the settlement of international disputes. The system
failed. Ethiopia suffered from the failure of that system but the concept of
collective security was more firmly established after the war.
I know that men of goodwill everywhere
sympathized with Ethiopia. We continued the struggle to free our people from
the rule of aliens and finally we were able to overcome the enemy. We returned
to our capital city and began extensive programmes for the progress of our
country.
Furthermore,
we witnessed the emergence of the new independent African states, the laying of
the foundation here in Addis Ababa for a greater unity among the African
peoples. These are some of the events I recollect and to which I attach great
significance.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, do You see any
relationship between the League of Nations' failure to take action on the
situation Ethiopia faced in 1935-36 and the failure of the Court to take action
on the South West African case in 1966?
Material Difference
Answer:
There is a material difference between the
failure of the League's collective security system in 1935 and 1936 and failure
of the International Court of Justice to consider the merits of the South West
African case.
The collective security system arrangement
that we thought, and everybody thought, was secured under the Covenant of the
League of Nations collapsed completely. The failure of the International Court
of Justice now to consider the merits of the South West African case means that
legal procedures for the settlement of the dispute are no longer open to us and
that we are to approach the problem from another angle, perhaps by insisting to
invoke the collective security measures under the Charter of the United
Nations. So that in the two cases I see this important difference: while the
League of Nations collapsed completely, in the case of the International Court
of Justice, it was one particular organ of the collective security system that
failed to respond to the demands of justice in South West Africa.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, has the situation in Rhodesia and the struggle
that was taken in relation to that question tended to weaken the Organization
of African Unity?
Answer:
Needless to say, all the African peoples were disheartened by events in
Rhodesia and by the failure of the efforts of many states and individuals to
restore the legitimate rights to the African majority in Southern Rhodesia.
There are of course many ways to solve a problem; there are many methods
of peaceful settlement and there is also the question of the use of force, but
I believe that before we resort to measures such as the use of force, we must
exhaust all reasonable peaceful methods. So far, the African states had jointly
taken some action but they had put greater faith on the British Government to
crush the illegal regime there. However, we are sad to say that such measures
on the part of the British Government have not been successful and they have
not been adequate.
The African states in the Organization of African Unity have no
difference so far as the Rhodesian question is concerned. Certain differences
about the approaches to the problem existed in the past but we are confident
that in our future actions we will be more united than ever for a just
settlement of the Rhodesian question.
I am sure that when the African heads of state reconvene their regular
summit here the Rhodesian question will be prominent on their agenda.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, You have been the leader of our people for the
last 49 years. What are Your Majesty's views concerning the progress that the
country has achieved in the last 49 years?
Constitutional Changes
Answer:
We
have witnessed many accomplishments in the last 49 years – and all these
achievements have given sustained benefits to the Ethiopian people. If I were
to be asked to name just a few, I would say the outstanding achievement has
been in the constitutional changes of our country. We have made it possible for
the participation of all our people in the work of the government. We have
instituted systems by which the rights of our people are protected. In the
economic field, we have instituted systems by which the Ethiopian people can
help themselves and their government also. We see that the efforts we have
invested on the improvement of our national life are at present giving forth
good results to our people. Although I will be the first to say that what has
been achieved has not been fully satisfactory, the country is moving ahead,
progress is being attained by the people and the future is full of hope and
promise.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, General de Gaulle
will pay a state visit to Ethiopia in the near future. Do you expect special
agreements to be signed between Ethiopia and France as a result of the visit?
Answer:
We have enjoyed a relation of friendship
with France for many years. The economic, cultural and other relations our
people maintained with the French people are well-known. When General de Gaulle
arrives here we shall have the opportunity to discuss ways and means by which
we can strengthen further this good relation between our two countries. I am
confident that when General de Gaulle visits Ethiopia we shall have the
opportunity to work out concrete agreements of mutual co-operation. I am glad
he accepted our invitation to visit Ethiopia. I am sure the result will be
satisfactory to both our peoples.
Question:
What have been the main achievements by Ethiopia in the last few
decades?
Answer:
The answer to this question can be very
long. I have already pointed out the achievements that were attained in the
constitutional and economic fields. Now I wish to add the progress we have made
and we intend to make in the future in the field of education.
Education is not new in Ethiopia. Although
we did not have any modem universities, for centuries we had enjoyed our own
system of education – a system that brought great benefit to our people.
However, more recently we embarked on a modem system of education and a great
deal has been achieved. I am confident that in the future we will work even
harder and get even more satisfactory results. It is because I considered
education indispensable to the needs of Ethiopia that I personally assumed for
a number of years the portfolio of the Minister of Education.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, what do you think
about the invitation to Your Imperial Majesty by Mr. Podgorny, the President of
the Soviet Union to visit the USSR?
Answer:
Yes, the Soviet Government has extended an
invitation to me to pay an official visit to the Soviet Union. I was glad to
receive the invitation. When I visit the Soviet Union I hope I will have an
opportunity to discuss with the responsible officials of the Soviet Government
matters of mutual interest between our two countries and also matters which I
hope will help to strengthen peace.
I said I was glad to accept the invitation
but the precise date of my visit is still under consideration. There are
certain matters to be discussed at a certain level in this connection.
July 30, 1966.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 676 –
