PRESS CONFERENCE ON DJIBOUTI
Gentlemen of the press: I have asked you
to assemble here today because I have an important announcement to make to you.
The matter that I will be considering this afternoon affects the vital interests
of both the people of Ethiopia and the Djibouti Territory.
The question of Djibouti Territory has
come to the forefront as you know, recently. But we must not be mistaken in the
fact that the Djibouti Territory is an integral part of Ethiopia. This is not a
fictitious claim; it is based on facts.
As is well known, the frontiers of Ethiopia
had stretched from time immemorial to the shores of the sea and the area that
is today known as Djibouti Territory formed an indisputable, integral part of
Ethiopia. It was only during the latteral part of the 19th century that outside
forces intervened in this part of the world to cause dismemberment of certain
parts of Ethiopia. It is also well known that the Ethiopian people had
heroically resisted this dismemberment throughout history; but our efforts,
however heroic, were of no avail. The dismemberment took place as it took place
in many other parts of Africa. The accuracy of this statement is clearly
attested by the annals of history of this part of the world.
It is also well known that prior to the
era of freedom in Africa Ethiopia resisted invasion and resisted dismemberment
and the slavery of her people. We also know that when the fascists had occupied
our country the whole world sympathized with the fact that a heroic people were
victimized by the forces of evil.
When we say that the Djibouti Territory
has always historically formed part and parcel of Ethiopia and that we are not
claiming somebody else's territory, we are fortified by the memories of recent
history and by historians who seek the truth. We do not seek what belongs to
others. However, we will continue impressing people that are concerned in this
matter that the Djibouti Territory had always formed, prior to the last part of
the 19th century, an integral part of Ethiopia. This fact is well known to the
people of Djibouti them- selves and many other peoples throughout the world are
aware of it. It is also known to France. The French Government and people know
that the Djibouti Territory and the people there cannot survive without the
vital links with Ethiopia.
Economic Link
We must also remember, in addition to the
fact that the Djibouti Territory has always formed an integral part of
Ethiopia, there is an important economic link between the territory and
Ethiopia. Djibouti forms the terminus for the Franco-Ethiopian railroad.
Economically speaking, Ethiopia has always been in the service of the Djibouti
Territory and vice versa the Djibouti Territory forms an important vital port
for Ethiopia.
When we consider the situation from the
ethnic point of view, it is also clear and indisputable that out of the 80,000
people inhabiting that area, 40,000 are Danakils, the large segment of the
Danakil tribe being in Ethiopia, thus being Ethiopians. 20,000 out of this
80,000 people constitute the Issa tribe, again the large body of whom are
Ethiopians living within the territorial jurisdiction of Ethiopia. These, I
say, are the real inhabitants of the Djibouti Territory. These are the peoples
whose interests we should hold upper- most in mind when thinking in terms of
the fate of the people concerned.
For
instance, I pointed out that the Danakils are Ethiopian nationals; they are
within Ethiopian territory. Similarly, the Issas form part of Ethiopia. I do
not believe that members of the Issa tribe who are Ethiopian citizens would
wish part of their tribe to be dismembered and to have its fate disjoined from
the fate of the main stock and the people of Ethiopia.
There are additional considerations, such
as the geographical location of the territory, which cannot be ignored. The
territory forms an important strategic area for Ethiopia. We know that out of
the 500 kilometres frontier of the Djibouti Territory, 400 are with Ethiopia
and only 100 kilometres with Somalia.
All these considerations – historic, strategic,
ethnic and the economic factors which form the vital interests of the Ethiopian
people and of the inhabitants of the Djibouti Territory – compel us to resist
forces that would put apart the destiny of the people of Djibouti from that of
Ethiopians.
Peace and Cooperation
In so far as the Somalia Government is
concerned, we have openly in the past expressed our desire to live in peace. It
is also well known that the Ethiopian Governments has done in the past all it
could to see to it that there is better accommodation of interests, that there
is less acrimony and that there is peaceful co-operation. However,
unfortunately we have not been able to attain that to the full extent. The
difference in policy that we pursue and that of Somalia is quite clear. We
resist the dismemberment of our country while they stand for dismemberment of
others.
I pointed out the strategic importance of
the Djibouti Territory to the Ethiopian people, and such an area particularly
inhabited by a people whose sole means of survival and viability is based on
the Ethiopian economy and whose com-position of citizenship derives from
Ethiopia and whose historical links with Ethiopia have been affirmed by
history, cannot be separated from Ethiopia herself.
In so far as self-determination is
concerned we have advanced that principle to the people of the Djibouti territory.
We have no opposition to the application of the principle of self-determination
to the people because we are aware and we know for sure that the large majority
of the inhabitants of the Djibouti Territory know their vital interests and
they will make decisions in accordance with these, were they to be asked to
express themselves in the form of a plebiscite. I am confident that the people in
the Djibouti Territory are fully aware of their vital interests, where their
freedom lies, their prosperity is located, and will take decisions in
accordance with those interests that are dictated by necessity as well as by
the desire to acquire significant freedom.
We have heard of the recent demonstrations
in the Djibouti territory. These demonstrations affirmed the desire of the
people to be free to decide their own destiny. And when that chance is given to
the people of the Djibouti Territory we have no doubt as to where the answer
would lie and what association they would wish to create for joint prosperity
of this region.
I know that certain forces – I mean
outside forces – have attempted to take advantage of the demonstrations of the
people who are in quest of an opportunity to make a vital decision for
themselves. I know certain evil-doers have attempted to blacken the motives of
that quest of the people by inserting matters that do not directly relate to
the interests of the people concerned but to ideas that would serve alien
interests.
I
know, for instance yesterday, the property of Ethiopians in Djibouti had been
damaged by certain unruly groups who do not speak for the majority of the
people in the Djibouti territory. I hope appropriate compensation for the
destruction of the property belonging to Ethiopians will be arrived at through
a discussion which we have in mind of conducting with the French Government.
When we think in terms of the future of the Djibouti Territory, I believe we
must always keep in mind the interests of the people them- selves and not the
interests of the alien powers or alien agents.
We must take into account the interests
and the needs of the Ethiopian people too. We must recall historical facts. We
must also think in terms of the strategic consideration and the ethnic affinity
of the Djibouti Territory and the people. The Ethiopian people and Government
will never accept a solution to the Djibouti problem, which is in contradiction
to the interests of the people concerned and in violation of the rights of the
Ethiopian people.
(His Imperial Majesty's statement was
followed by questions from pressmen to which appropriate answers were given).
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, you have correctly
stated that the Ethiopian Government does not oppose the application of the
principle of self-determination to the inhabitants of the Djibouti Territory
but we have witnessed recently that some efforts are being made by foreign
interests so that the people there would be diverted from their real interests.
What do you think would be the remedy to the situation?
Have Confidence
Answer:
I had pointed out earlier that the Adal
and Issa people in Djibouti, who constitute the real and original inhabitants,
will not seek separation from their real interest which is association with
Ethiopia. Since we have confidence in the vast majority of the people there we
have very little to fear.
Question:
In
your long reign we all know that you have taken several historical and decisive
actions and we also know that if the Djibouti Territory falls into the hands of
aliens, the Ethiopian people and the people concerned would be harmed. But,
supposing the Djibouti situation takes a different turn and supposing the
interests of the people of the Djibouti Territory and Ethiopia are harmed, what
action will the Ethiopian Government take?
Answer:
At the present, the Djibouti Territory is
in French hands. We have continued to affirm that the Djibouti territory forms
an integral part of Ethiopia. However, the future should be decided with this
basic principle in mind: Dismemberment or alienation of the Djibouti Territory
from Ethiopia is like dismemberment of a vital part of the human body. What
would a human being do if there is a threat to serious dismemberment of his
body or an actual dismemberment takes place? That we will leave for a future
decision. There is no point in making speculation.
We know that many countries had historical
experiences such as the one we are facing and I am confident that the attitude
of the French Government and the people of France would not be in variance with
the interests and desire of the people of the Djibouti Territory. Under the
circumstances, I do not believe the French Government and people would act in a
manner contrary to the interests that are involved.
Question:
How does Your Imperial Majesty foresee the
future – voting for independence and then association with Ethiopia?
Independence Envisaged
Answer:
We
realize that the independence of the Djibouti territory is not far off. I read
the conclusion from General De Gaulle's recent statements. I also know that
France gave freedom to many other territories in the past. However, under the
situation we are facing today in Djibouti, I would emphasize the strategic
considerations and ethnic factors from which the Ethiopian Government views the
problem. I would also emphasize the vital interests that are linking the
Ethiopians with the inhabitants of the Djibouti Territory. No matter in what
form a decision is made, these realities must be maintained.
The French people and the Ethiopian people
have maintained friendly relations for a long time. I believe friendship
implies a commitment on each other's part that the vital interests of our
respective peoples should not be endangered.
Question:
Your Imperial Majesty, since the Djibouti
Territory constitutes a vital interest for Ethiopia, instead of urging that the
territory be free, and subsequently joined with Ethiopia why does not the
Ethiopian Government make an outright claim to the territory?
Answer:
That was a good question. We must remember
that Ethiopian affirmation that the Djibouti Territory forms an integral part
of Ethiopia is not of recent origin. The documents of Menelik II, Emperor of
Ethiopia, and my own father Ras Makonnen testify clearly that Ethiopia long ago
had asserted the necessities as they existed in the relations between Ethiopia
and the Djibouti Territory and the people there.
Question:
Your
Imperial Majesty: About 43 years ago, in 1916 Ethiopian Calendar, you had
visited Europe and in particular France. The Agreement that was signed at the
latter part of the 19th century merely postulated that it was to have duration
of 99 years without fixing a definite time limit. In that visit you were able
to come to an agreement with the French Government to have a time limit for the
expiration of the agreement concerning the Franco-Ethiopian railroad. Did you
have any further discussions with the French Government otherwise concerning
the Djibouti territory?
Answer:
It is quite true that the agreement for
the construction of a railroad from Addis Ababa to Djibouti was to have the
duration – the contract was to have the duration – of 99 years. This was
conceived to be in accordance with the interests of Ethiopia, the Djibouti
Territory and the French people who were assigned to undertake construction of
this railroad. (It is also logically clear that were we to understand that
after 99 years we were going to dismantle the railroad from the area and from
the section in the Djibouti Territory we certainly would not have accepted the
agreement that would have divorced us from such vital interest after a certain
period of time). The logic of events points to the fact that Ethiopia has
continued to assert the fact that the Djibouti Territory forms an integral part
of Ethiopia.
Sept. 16, 1966.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 683 –
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