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 ideological, 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 community. 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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