SPEECH IN HONOUR OF CHIVU STOICA
Mr. President, Madame Stoica,
It gives Us great pleasure to welcome you
this evening and to express to you our appreciation for having accepted our
invitation to visit Ethiopia. On this happy occasion We extend to you, Mr.
President, and your consort Our most cordial welcome.
Two years ago, at the invitation of your
predecessor, the late Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, We had the opportunity of
visiting your beautiful and great country and to come into personal contact
with the industrious people of Roma-nia. We always recall with pleasure the
warm and friendly reception that We were accorded by the Government and people
of Romania. The sincere and hearty reception which We have experienced then is
a vivid testimony of the great respect and admiration which the Romanian people
have for Our people and for Us. In the course of Our visit, We saw for
ourselves the great progress achieved by the Romanian people and the advantages
they are drawing from the benefits of modern civilization.
As a result of man’s technological and
scientific advancement, our world has undergone tremendous and unprecedented
change. Distant worlds have been brought closer and mysteries have been
unfolded. All these achievements should have brought satisfaction to mankind.
However, man among other things, has used these great achievements to evil ends
by producing and accumulating weapons of mass destruction which are already in
the possession of a number of countries.
Co-Existence
The desire of states to impose their
social and economic systems on others had resulted in the ever-increasing
stock-pile of deadly weapons. But happily the realization that such a state of
affairs is incompatible with the needs of our time has led, of late, all
leaders and all men of goodwill to determine to live in peace and to coexist in
spite of the ideo-logical, social and economic differences existing in the
world. In turn this situation has greatly relieved the anxiety of the world
from the fear of the disaster that would otherwise have befallen mankind as a
result of a nuclear warfare. It is, therefore, the sacred duty of all to take
advantage of the present general détente and to strive to bring about enduring
peace so that we may spare ourselves the condemnation of posterity and history.
Common Goals
The basic needs of
men everywhere are the same. There is no one anywhere in the world who does not
cherish the hope of having his standard of living raised. Likewise, it is the
fervent desire of most governments to satisfy the material needs and to elevate
the standard of living of their people. For any state or individual to limit
its endeavours to satisfy its selfish desire, in this age of interdependence,
is to live outside of the realm of reality. The era of such isolated existence
is long past. Instead men have started to think in terms of their fellow-men,
their country and the world com-munity. All must strive unceasingly to further
these simple and yet fundamental principles and ideals so that there shall be a
better tomorrow for generations to come.
Mr. President, We should not fail to
recall here that Ethiopia for a long time has maintained friendly relations
with Romania not only in time of peace but in time of great trouble and
tribulation when our very existence as a nation was threatened by the fascist
aggressor. We shall long remember the moral support We have had from the people
of Romania through its Foreign Minister, Mr. Tutelesu when We made our appeal
to the League of Nations. It is also fitting to mention here the valiant
Romanian hero, Etian the Great, who has courageously struggled and dedicated
his life for the freedom and independence of his country.
Though Your Excellency’s visit to Our
country is short, We earnestly believe that it will contribute in further
strengthening the bonds of friendship that already exist between Romania and
Ethiopia.
In this age of inter-dependence Romania
and Ethiopia should do their utmost to co-operate for the mutual interest of
their respective countries. There are many areas in which our two countries can
effectively collaborate in this regard.
It is in this spirit of friendship and
co-operation that We ask all to join Us in wishing long life and good health to
you, Mr. President and Madame Stoica; progress and prosperity to Romania and
Ethiopia and to enduring world peace.
Dec.
6, 1966.
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 150 –
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