BANQUET IN HONOUR OF PRESIDENT
NOVOTNY
President Antonin Novotny
and Madame Bozena Novotna.
It is Our great
pleasure to greet this evening the leader of a great and friendly nation, a
country with which Ethiopia has tong enjoyed close ties and with which a
special sympathy and understanding exist. We take this opportunity to welcome
Your Excellency and your wife to Ethiopia.
Seven years ago in
response to Your Excellency’s invitation, We had the pleasure of visiting your
beautiful country and the friendly people of Czechoslovakia. We vividly recall
the warm and cordial welcome accorded to Us by the people of Czechoslovakia and
members of your government. During Our visit We were able to witness the great
achievements accomplished by your people in the field of science and
technology. The bonds of friendship that so happily exist between Ethiopia and
Czechoslovakia are of longstanding. During this period our two countries have
co-operated in many fields both in times of war and peace.
Ethiopia and
Czechoslovakia have much in common. Both our countries had a similar experience
in the resistance against a cruel and merciless aggressor whose motive was to
put our peoples under its colonial domination. During the dark hours
Czechoslovakia was among the very few countries that courageously raised its
voice in denouncing the invasion of Our country by the fascist aggressor. In
doing so, Czechoslovakia gave Us support not only in upholding our rightful
cause at the League of Nations but has also supported Us with the much needed
arms and ammunitions for the defence of Our beloved country against the
invader. In the early part of the post-war period, when We commenced to
reorganize Our Armed Forces, it was from Czechoslovakia that We were able to
purchase modern weapons to equip Our army. In view of this, can one expect
greater friendship? All these manifest the prevalence of a long and profound
friendship between our two countries.
Old True Friend
At present Ethiopia
and Czechoslovakia are co-operating in many fields. The Government of
Czechoslovakia is actively participating in the implementation of Our Five-Year
Plan by providing Us with assistance. As a result of such co-operation the
age-old relations that exist between our two countries have been strengthened.
On this occasion We would like once again to reaffirm to Your Excellency that
Ethiopia considers Czechoslovakia an old and a true friend. We wish to say here
that in Our endeavours We strive not only for the progress and happiness of our
countries and people but to humanity at large for the cause of world peace.
In Our age man has
replaced his individualistic attitude by a larger cause, namely the good of
society. This is encouraging. The method employed to achieve the social and
economic objectives that each country sets for itself may differ. The cultural
and historical background of each country accounts for this difference. A few
years back, due to this economic and social difference the relations between
countries had deteriorated to such an extent that men were fearful of a third
world war. Today this fear has diminished and the people of the world are
hopeful for a better and a more secure tomorrow. It is our duty to work for the
realization of this noble objective.
In
Our view differences in economic and social systems should not give rise to
mistrust and misunderstanding among nations. On the contrary, We should accept
diversity in culture and tradition and coexist peacefully. Though Your
Excellency’s visit to Ethiopia is short, We are convinced that it will
contribute to the promotion of this objective as well as further the
long-standing friendship which exists between our two countries.
We
are hopeful that Your Excellency’s stay in Our country will be a pleasant one.
Let us, therefore, raise our glasses for His Excellency’s long life and happiness,
that of Madame Novotna and for the continued progress and prosperity of our two
peoples.
Nov. 15, 1966.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile
Selassie - page 148 -
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