DOMESTIC REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
….. What makes a people great and
testifies to its greatness, is its aspirations for the well-being of its
country and the practical achievement of these same aspirations for its own benefit
and for that of future generations. Unity gives strength and assures success.
We are very happy that by the Grace of
God, we are again amongst our people, after having spent one and a half months
visiting India, Burma, and Japan, at the kind invitation of the Presidents of
India and of Burma and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
In the same way as when two years ago we
returned from our visit to North America and to Europe, we spoke to you about
some of the important things that we had found to be useful to our country, so
today we wish to tell you of our impressions and of the useful things that we
have seen in the three countries we visited during our tour of Asia and the Far
East. It is hardly necessary to emphasize that what we saw in these countries
is of great importance and relevance to the programme of modernization and
development which we have initiated in our own country.
We realize, of course, that it is
difficult for you to gain the same kind of understanding and appreciation which
we have gained through first-hand knowledge, since hearing is not the same as
seeing. But nonetheless, we want to tell you about the hospitality and the warm
welcome that was accorded to us on the part of the governments and peoples of
India, Burma and Japan, so that you may experience that same impression that we
have gained during our visit to these three friendly countries.
The manifestations of friendship and high
regard which were shown to us in these countries were meant not only for
Ourselves but also for the entire people of Ethiopia. Moreover, our visit to
these countries constitutes the accomplishment of a long-standing desire on our
part to make Ethiopia better known and appreciated by the outside world, and at
the same time to help Ethiopia to know and appreciate the rest of the world.
During Our stay in India, we were able to
visit, amongst other things, an aircraft factory, locomotive, automobile and
telephone factories, an atomic laboratory, a military academy, agricultural and
forestry organizations and projects, great dams and hydro-electric and
irrigation schemes, as well as a number of universities and technical
institutions. Moreover, we were able to visit the wonderful and world-famous
Taj Mahal, as well as the historic city of Benares, the birth place of
Buddhism. We also visited the ancient Orthodox Church of Southern India,
founded under the inspiration of the Apostle Saint Thomas. In all the
industries and factories that we visited, including many which required the
application of technical knowledge of the highest order, the work is done by
Indian nationals. This is indeed an extraordinary example of the success of
their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.
Effective Action
Since the social and economic problems
that face India and Ethiopia are very much alike, there is much of value that
we can derive from the experience that India gained in her effort to tackle and
overcome these problems. The effort that is being made in India with a view to
facing and overcoming these problems is of great significance to the programme
of development and reconstruction that we have planned and are putting into
effect in our own country for the prosperity and well-being of our people. It is
not enough to talk about ideas and plans. The important thing is to translate
these into effective actions. May God Almighty sustain and guide us in the
accomplishment of this great task, so that our people may gain ever greater
opportunities and benefits from the application of the development of technical
progress.
While we were in the Indian capital city
of Delhi, we availed ourselves of the opportunity for a friendly exchange of
views with Indian leaders on matters touching upon relations between our two
countries, as well as on international relations generally. Our talks with
Prime Minister Nehru were characterized by a spirit of cordial understanding.
We had occasion to express once again our common belief in peaceful negotiation
as a means to settle international differences. We affirmed our adherence to
the principles of non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal
affairs, respect for national sovereignty and integrity and peaceful
co-existence. These are the very principles for which we have sacrificed much
during Our lifetime. We have re-affirmed our belief in these principles and we
have agreed to make them the basis for greater understanding and closer
co-operation in the future.
Trade Agreement
In
order to strengthen and extend the trade and economic relations which have
existed for so long between India and our country, we have agreed to complete a
trade agreement, the details of which are at the moment being studied by our
two governments. An Indian Mission will be coming to Addis Ababa to negotiate
the said trade agreement.
Even though we had to shorten Our stay in
Japan, on account of the grave international situation obtaining at that time,
our visit to Japan at the kind invitation of His Majesty Emperor Hirohito and
the Japanese government enabled us to see many of Japan’s important industries,
including automobile and textile factories, and an automatic telephone
equipment factory. We also visited many ancient Japanese historic places and shrines.
In spite of the great damage that the war
brought on Japan’s economy, Japan has made a very impressive recovery and great
progress in the short post-war period. Realizing the mutual benefit that could
be gained from greater trade and economic relations with a country whose
economy is complementary to Our own, we have agreed to complete a Treaty of
Friendship and Commerce with Japan.
We have always had great admiration for
Japan and for the achievement of the Japanese people in preserving their traditions,
and while acquiring the best of the new, successfully reconciling it with the
best of the old. During our visit to that friendly country we were impressed by
the enthusiasm and hard work the Japanese people are giving to achieve their
progress. At the same line Our admiration and high regard for the Japanese
people was greatly increased by Our experience of their courteous manners and
great kindness.
Convinced of the necessity to establish
and develop industries in our own country, we have already made a beginning in
setting up technical schools and institutions to speed up the realization of
these plans. It is Our constant desire that Our people should be intellectually
and technically advanced as well as being safeguarded from the dangers of unemployment.
In
the short period of time that We spent in Burma, We visited pharmaceutical and
textile factories, several educational institutions and the well-known
Shwedagon Pagoda erected in memory of Buddha and other places of historic
interest. We also were able to witness the Burmese government’s efforts to
overcome the economic and social difficulties of the country. There is no doubt
that the efforts of the Burmese people will result in the successful
achievement of a bright and prosperous future.
Similar Problems
The countries We visited in the course of
Our tours are economically, historically and in many other respects similar to
our own. They resemble us also, in their keen effort to develop their natural
resources for the greater benefit of their people. We find that the methods
which they employ to overcome their social and economic problems, are useful
and relevant to our national development programmes, since we have to face
similar problems.
Our country is in no way inferior to most
other countries so far as its territorial and natural resources are concerned.
It is well known that if a people has the firm determination to work, it can
overcome any and all its difficulties and problems. We have no problem which is
insurmountable. Let us work in unity and diligence. What makes a people great
and testifies to its greatness is its aspirations for the well-being of its
country, and the practical achievement of these same aspirations for its own
benefit and for that of future generations. Unity gives
strength and assures success.
In
all the countries We have visited, we have noted that education is the basis
for the greatness, the power, the pride and prosperity of a nation. This
impression, together with the satisfaction that we have had from the students
of our own educational institutions, whom We consider the principal instruments
for the progress and well-being of Ethiopia, renews and strengthens Our belief
in education. If, therefore, education is the factor of everlasting
significance in the greatness of a nation, it becomes the duty of every
Ethiopian to strive for education and progress. What we have seen wherever we
went has convinced us that education is as vital as life itself.
The foreign technicians and specialists
are only employed to provide us with temporary assistance and training. It is
the duty of everyone to strive for self-sufficiency by acquiring knowledge and
experience. To live always in dependence upon the assistance of others not only
prevents a people from attaining its ideal, but also deprives life of its true
significance and achievement.
Efforts Justified
We have seen again during Our visit that
God has not been partial in His divine creation. The difference of colour is a
notion which has no significance and the futility of asserting a difference has
now become obvious. The way in which Ethiopian youth has assimilated the
knowledge of modern art and science, and the high academic achievements of the
young men and women we have sent for higher education abroad, justifies our
efforts and expectations. Our whole history testifies to the heroic deeds of
our gallant people.
The fact that we have sown on fertile
ground strengthens Our hope that We shall realize the plans We have prepared in
order to achieve Our high ideals. After all, Ethiopia is second to none in her
agricultural tradition. We are proud to say that Our plans and achievements
compare favourably with those of others. If We have been able to accomplish
what We had in mind to do, it is because the love and prayers of Our people
have always sustained Us.
In
conclusion, We would leave with you the thought that Ethiopia belongs equally
to each and every Ethiopian, and We rely on you all, young and old alike, to
play your proper constructive part in the great common task of fructifying in
Ethiopia the results of our visits abroad. Nor will you fail in furthering the
success of the programme of modernization and development that We have outlined
for Our beloved country.
The thing that harms a nation most and
cripples its strength is lack of enthusiasm and zeal to strive through
education to rise itself to the level that other nations have attained. There
is nothing We desire more than to see the full development of the natural
resources of Our Empire and the raising of the standard of living of Our
people. May the Almighty and everlasting God continue to protect Our people and
bless Our efforts, so that in His good time We may see the fruits of Our
endeavours.
Dec. 10, 1956.
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 91 –
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