RE-UNION
ANNIVERSARY
On this historic anniversary of the federation of
Eritrea with the motherland the words you have all uttered are a source of
great happiness.
Happiness so signifies different things to
different people. There is happiness that is of a momentary nature and
happiness that lives for ever. The federation of Eritrea with the motherland
resuscitates in Us a happiness that is not evanescent but everlasting.
Even if an artificial boundary separated Ethiopia
and Eritrea in the days of yore the wishes and desires of the Eritrean people
were never at variance but in concord with the wishes and desires of the whole
people of the motherland.
From the time that We were called upon to guide
the destiny of Ethiopia, it has been Our wish and desire that Eritreans of
their own free will share the same opportunities offered to their Ethiopian
brothers, and it is a matter of deep gratification to Us to witness that Our
wish has been fulfilled. Those who have been ceaselessly struggling to preserve
the life and not bring about the death of Ethiopia and those who have never
fallen dupes to the separationist propaganda of alien rule, have always been in
the forefront ready to sacrifice their blood for the freedom and unity of their
country.
During the invasion when death was hovering over
Us, We always remember the worthy Eritreans who fought for their freedom and
those who fell on the battlefield for the love of their homeland.
When the artificial boundary was at long last
made nonexistent and Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia, the Eritreans, who
had never relented from fighting for its freedom in the hours of its trial,
have never ceased to express their love of country and devotion to the
motherland.
Both Christians and Moslems in Eritrea, without
any religious antagonism, have lived side by side in harmony with faith in the
words We pronounced, assuring Our people: “The country is for all and religion
for the individual,” and this has enhanced Our unity and strengthened Our
Government through the spirit of brotherly love.
The love of country shown by the people of
Eritrea will benefit not only them but also the whole of Ethiopia. Although
this good fortune has fallen to be Ours and the achievements speak in Our name,
let Us not forget to express Our gratitude to God who accomplishes everything.
Thanks be to the Almighty who brought Our wishes
and desires into a happy realization and made Us celebrate the New Year in
unity.
Sept. 13, 1960
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 346 –
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen