ON STRENGTHENING THE NATION’S
POLITCAL FABRIC
…..
Throughout Our life time, We have always unceasingly sought an ever-increasing
degree of participation by Our people in the conduct of the nation’s affairs.
In 1931, when We granted Ethiopia’s first written Constitution, We were
motivated by this desire.
In
1955, We paved the way for an even deeper and wider involvement of Our people
in the direction of the affairs of their country. The Revised Constitution
which We promulgated then is both the basis for and an immutable manifestation
of the unity of the Ethiopian nation. The presence of you Parliamentarians here
today testifies to the wisdom of those steps.
This
past year, two additional measures have been taken to accelerate this process
and insure the country’s future political stability and growth.
The first, and perhaps the most significant political
development of recent years, occurred only eight months ago. We then announced
that the principle of collective responsibility embedded in Ethiopia’s
constitutional framework would be enlarged by the designation by Us of Our
Prime Minister who would, in turn, select his cabinet for appointment by Us.
This
innovation, coupled with the principle of Parliamentary responsibility
enunciated in the 1955 Constitution, prepares the way for the introduction of a
totally new series of modifications into Ethiopia’s institutional framework and
guarantees the continued dynamic evolution of the nation’s political structure.
We
are convinced that this step, taken in accordance with the nation’s
Constitution, will inject new strength into the political framework of the
nation, and that the permanence of the advances already accomplished will be
secured.
The
first consequence of this major reshaping of Ethiopia’s political framework may
already be seen.
In
order to emphasize and give full scope to the priority of co-ordinated economic
planning, a separate Ministry charged with wide responsibilities in this field
has been established, and work has already been commenced on the preparation of
a Third Five-Year Plan.
Land
reform and administration, an area deserving of the highest consideration, has
been confided to another new Ministry created at the time of the reorganization
of Our Government in April.
Responsibility
for social affairs has been consolidated under the direction of the Ministry of
National Community Development and Social Affairs.
Information
and tourism functions have been combined in a single Ministry in order that
fuller and more complete publicity may be given to the many varied aspects of
Ethiopia’s life and activities.
The institutions
earlier created to assure that all Public Servants would receive the
recognition which their work has earned for them and that they may look to
their future security with confidence have now been consolidated in a single
agency.
The Ministry of Public Works has been given the
special task of ensuring that adequate provision is made for the furnishing of
housing, an increasingly important requirement in these days of rapid
urbanization.
All
of these changes have been carefully considered before their introduction. They
will assist in insuring the efficient and effective conduct of the affairs of
Our Government and the proper discharge of Our duties to the Ethiopian nation
and people.
Local Self-Administration
The
second of these vital political measures was initiated several years ago when
studies were launched into one of the most significant and critical exercises
in national political growth yet attempted in Ethiopia. This work matured in
the scheme of local administration based at the Awraja level introduced by Our
Order only a short time ago.
This
vast project has slowly taken form through years of painstaking research and
profound examination of the needs, the beliefs, the aspirations and the
capacities of every segment of the entire population.
As
this programme is implemented, major responsibilities in many areas of pressing
concern to each individual and community throughout the nation will be
entrusted to locally elected Awraja Councils. Council members will be chosen in
formal elections. The judgment and discretion of the Ethiopian people will be
tested as never before, as a large portion of the decisions shaping their
economic and social life become their responsibility.
Pending before this session of Parliament is the draft
Proclamation dealing with Awraja local revenues which will give final substance
to the form already devised for this great and crucial experiment in
government. You should act upon this proposal as a matter of urgency in order
that this immense programme, so vital to every man, woman and child in
Ethiopia, may proceed on schedule. Other financial legislation of vital
importance to the nation will also be laid before you in the coming year.
The
sum of all the developments we have described are consistent, We believe, with
the basic policy of Our Government, a policy which is aimed at the adoption and
implementation of national programmes having the greatest impact upon the
largest number. This is our goal and purpose, as it should be the goal and
purpose of every Government sincerely and deeply devoted to the well-being of
its people.
National Dedication
The
system of responsible cabinet government placed in effect last March endeavours
to bring to each member of Our Government a more immediate and lively awareness
of his responsibilities for sharing in the total task of governing the nation
and, below him, to encourage each Government official and employee to discharge
more effectively the greater measure of the authority which has been delegated
throughout Our Government’s structure.
The
increased emphasis placed upon development planning is intended to produce
ever-increasing economic activity at every level of the economy down to the
smallest village and community.
Land
reform measures are calculated to affect and improve the living conditions of
literally millions of Ethiopia. The introduction of a widespread system of
local administration is directed to the involvement of substantial numbers of Our
people in the conduct and regulation of their public affairs.
Our concern is with the many and not the few. The
benefits of education must be enjoyed by every Ethiopian. Health facilities
must be made available to all who require them. The ownership of a plot of land
must be brought within the capacity of everyone who so desires. The benefits of
an expanding economy must be enjoyed by all.
It
is Our task and responsibility, as it is of Our Government, to transform these
objectives into coherent, acceptable and realistic legislative and financial
programmes and to see to their accomplishment. If this is done, the duty owed
to the Ethiopian nation and people will be discharged. To succeed will require
the single-minded, tenacious and unselfish dedication of each one of us …..
Nov. 2, 1966.
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