Speech of The Day (57): PUBLIC HEALTH

PUBLIC HEALTH

... The raising of Our country's standards of public health occupies an important and prominent place in the plans We have prepared for the peaceful growth and development of Our nation. To improve conditions of life is by itself to benefit present and future generations, and however high the cost, this work must be accomplished. Agreements have been executed with the International Co-operation Administration for the furnishing of aid to assist Our efforts in this direction. We long ago determined that, with the help of Our people, no one in Ethiopia would lack adequate medical treatment because of his inability to pay for it, and a plan to implement the goal has already been prepared. ...

Nov. 9, 1957.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 537 -

HIM QHS visited Nazareth hospital in Nov. 1947. Dr. Paul Conrad, of the hospital, is to the left. The man in the brown suit to the right is Ato Mengestu Bogale, mayor of Nazareth.

HIM Haile Selassie In A Red Cross Hospital Ethiopia 1935

Speech of The Day (56): ETHIOPIA AND O.A.U.

ETHIOPIA AND O.A.U.

…..No one who witnessed the leaders of Africa gathered together in a single hall to assert their common identity and brotherhood and to lay the foundation for Africa’s future will soon forget the experience…..

….. Long after more temporary achievements have been forgotten, the Conference of Heads of State and Government of African nations held in Addis Ababa last May will remain as the single event having the farthest reaching implications for the future of the African continent. Every Ethiopian can be proud of the role which his nation played in this historic meeting when Africans rose above local regional interests and proclaimed their unity and oneness. There were many who felt that the holding of the Conference was in itself a sufficient achievement and that nothing more could be expected. These failed to reckon with the spirit and determination which had brought the leaders of Africa together, and in the end the impetus which had so swiftly carried Africa from a dependent to a free continent gave birth to the Charter of African Unity which will take its rightful place with the great documents of history. No one who witnessed the leaders of Africa gathered together in a single hall to assert their common identity and brother-hood and to lay the foundation for Africa’s future will soon forget the experience.

The unity to which we all pledged our devotion at the Addis Ababa Conference was tested – and proved – but a short time ago when the unfortunate border conflict which had erupted between Algeria and Morocco imperilled for a time the edifice of which the foundation had only just been laid. That the leaders of these two states agreed to come together and, having met, to order a cease-fire, demonstrated once again that Africa and African unity are more than mere words, that they have content and substance. When We found Ourself, in the course of the series of State Visits of which We shall speak in a moment, in the territory of the two combatant states immediately after hostilities had broken out, it was Our duty to offer Our services in an attempt to end the bloodshed. We sought no victory of prestige, no personal triumph in so doing. We acted out of humanity and out of the conviction that unless the conflict was speedily halted, a severe blow would be dealt to the principles which had been established only five months earlier in Ethiopia’s capital. That the efforts which We and other African leaders exerted have culminated in success is a source of satisfaction for all Africans, and We must address a special word of appreciation to Our good friend, President Modibo Keita, who offered his capital, Bamako, as the meeting place for the parties. We have repeatedly stated that Africans are now prepared and able to settle African quarrels, that Africa has come to full maturity, that we can and must now assume responsibility for assuring the tranquillity of our continent. The cease-fire agreement reached at Bamako and the successful meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity held in Addis Ababa but a few days ago testify to the truth of these declarations.

Decisions Implemented

The decisions taken at the Addis Ababa Conference are fast being implemented. Final decisions have been taken on the establishment of the African Development Bank which We have long urged. The Defence Commission which met a short time ago in Accra has laid the basis for closer co-operation in the military sphere. Dates have been fixed for the meetings of the other Commissions created by the Charter of African Unity. Economic sanctions have been placed in force against the Portuguese and South African regimes as a result of agreements reached in May. The nine- nation Liberation Committee set up to administer the Freedom Fund has been organized, and Ethiopia is proud to serve as a member, just as we are proud that the financial contribution which Ethiopia pledged to the Fund was promptly paid. As time passes, We confidently anticipate that the Organization of African Unity will become an ever stronger force for the cause of freedom and progress for all Africa and all Africans …..

….. We must express Our keen regret that the Government of the Republic of Somalia, a neighbour whom Ethiopia aided along the path to independence, continues to flout and ignore these principles. Not only have the authorities in Somalia persisted in their violently anti-Ethiopian propaganda campaign in the press, radio and in public utterances, but Government-instigated and supported violations of Ethiopia’s frontier have continued throughout the past year. Armed bands have infiltrated Ethiopia’s territory and committed acts of aggression and sabotage. By these methods, the leaders of Somalia hope to realize their declared policy of territorial aggrandizement.

Ethiopia’s policy is to respect the territorial limits of other nations. We respect Somalia’s frontiers. We do not inject ourselves or otherwise interfere in Somalia’s internal affairs. But there must be an end to provocation. Patience is not limitless, and the responsibility for the continued deterioration of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia and for any untoward consequences which may ensue will rest squarely in Mogadiscio …..

Nov. 9, 1964.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 273 -

Foreign Minister Ketema Yifru, Prime Minister Aklilu Habtewold, and Emperor Haile Selassie

Speech of The Day (55): DEDICATION OF PRINCE MAKONNEN HOSPITAL

 DEDICATION OF PRINCE MAKONNEN  HOSPITAL

It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of Our people.

The Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project completed.

It is a truism that man is mortal, but his achievements during his brief sojourn are vital both for the history he leaves behind him and the benefits derived therefrom by posterity.

This is illustrated by the fact that we are able to meet the demands of our time primarily because our ancestors, besides transmitting to us the benefits of tradition, had shed their blood to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of our nation.

In this era modern methods, thoughts and ideas have superseded the old ways; but because of our tradition we have been able to move with the rhythm of the times and still maintain our sense of proportion. Although much has been devoted to attain the harmonious welding of the old and the new in a manner acceptable to all – the old, the young and future generations – much still remains to be accomplished. Who would not be pleased to see his baby born as a five or ten years old youngster? But this is contrary to nature’s plan.

That the results of our consuming efforts for the prosperity of Ethiopia and the improvement of the standard of Our people should be five or ten times greater would afford Us the greatest satisfaction. Since, however, progress must proceed by stages, it is with a great degree of gratification that We witness the standard of growth and development made by Our people.

It is a mark of pride that we can recall today some of the many sacrifices made in the interest and general welfare of Our people. Hence, when they decided to dedicate a monument in Our honour as a gesture of their love for Us We proposed instead the establishment of a University, and, subsequently, laid the cornerstone for that institution on this site.

Monument To Posterity

We later bestowed for the youth of Ethiopia the property inherited from Our father for that project, so that, in conjunction with the contribution made by Our people this will facilitate the establishment of the University which will live for posterity as a monument both in Our name and in theirs.

It was Our preoccupation that Our son, Prince Makonnen, after he had reached his maturity, would have lived to dedicate his life to the service of Our people. But since God’s reasoning differs from that of man, he died prematurely. Not content to share, as they have done so equally, in Our’s and his Mother’s grief, the people of their own free will have donated money for the erection of a Memorial Hospital in the Duke’s honour.

As Kantiba Zewde Gabre Hiwot has explained, a substantial part of the contributions has come equally from foreign friends of Ethiopia, a fact that illustrates the love that the Ethiopian people has won abroad.

Man, during his lifetime, is usually absorbed with the problems of his existence, in which both the material and spiritual phases complement each other. We have extended much effort in building the moral strength of our people which, with God’s help is succeeding.

Even though We dedicate this hospital to Prince Makonnen, it is the people of Ethiopia that will benefit from its services – those who have contributed and those who have not. We cherish the hope that whether We are present or not the Ethiopian people will pursue the responsibility of seeing this project completed.

We thank the Board for what you have done. Continue your effort with the same earnestness. It is only with God’s will that man can reach his ends. May He continue to bestow His assistance for the accomplishment of this Memorial Hospital.

We express Our gratitude to Our entire people and to those foreign friends who have contributed so generously to this welfare fund.

Nov. 8, 1961

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 545 -

Foreground, left to right, Princess Tsehai, Prince Makonnen Duke of Harrar, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen, in London during their exile. Behind the Emperor's left shoulder is Dr. Workineh Eshete (A.K.A. Charles Martin) Ethiopian Minister to the Court of St. James.

Speech of The Day (54): Air Forde Acadamy

Air Forde Acadamy

“We are very pleased to be here today to inaugurate the Haile Selassie I Air Force Academy and to award diplomas and certificates to the cadets and aircraftmen who have satisfactorily completed their studies at the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force Officers School. …”

November 8, 1968

Important Utterances of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I - page 169 -