PRESS CONFERENCE REGARDING SOMALIA
We appreciate this opportunity to meet
with you representatives of the Press and explain to you certain matters
dealing with relations between Ethiopia and the Republic of Somalia which have
not up to now received the attention which they merit.
You are all familiar with the details of
the armed aggression which the military forces of the Republic of Somalia have
carried out against Ethiopia. You may not, however, be as familiar with the background
against which this aggression must be viewed.
First of all, we must accept as an
irrefutable fact that the Republic of Somalia is dedicated to a policy of
territorial aggrandizement at the expense of her neighbours, and that she
appears prepared to pursue this policy by all available means. This policy is
written into Somalia's Constitution. Somalia's claims to Ethiopian territory
have been repeated by her leaders not once but many times.
By
contrast, Ethiopia's policy with respect to Somalia has been that the boundary
established between the two countries should be respected by both. Ethiopia has
never menaced or threatened Somalia, and we are asserting no territorial claims
of any sort against her.
In the family of nations there are
countries with populations even smaller than that of the Republic of Somalia
which nonetheless live in peace and in harmony with their neighbours. However,
the Somalia leaders, inspired by their expansionist policy, have resorted to
force and false propaganda, have attacked Ethiopia, and have shed innocent
blood in pursuit of their objectives. We have explained in the past the consequences
and the dangers inherent in this policy, and We shall continue to do so. We
have expressed Our sorrow that this policy continues, and We hope that the
people of the Republic of Somalia have recognized the truth of what We have
said.
The Somalia leaders have chosen to execute
their expansionist policy in a variety of ways, ranging from falsehood to
force. The Somalia Government has sent armed bands into the territories of
Ethiopia and Kenya, where they attack, rob, loot and then flee into the shelter
of the Republic of Somalia. At the same time, the Government of Somalia has
carried on an intensive and malicious press and radio campaign against Ethiopia
which is unparalleled in this day and age in its violence. The Ethiopian people
and leaders have been insulted in the most vituperative and slanderous terms.
Somalia's radio has called for revolution in Ethiopia and has incited
subversion and sabotage. In all that she has done, Somalia has violated almost
daily for the last three and one-half years the most sacred principles of the
Charter of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity.
Reject Propaganda
By
contrast, Ethiopia has refrained from replying in kind and has limited herself
to defending her territory against the Somalia Government to end its propaganda
against Our nation because We know that such a campaign is calculated
permanently to poison relations between the people of Ethiopia and Somalia, and
particularly those of ex-British Somaliland who enter Ethiopia to graze here
and who also have close commercial relations with Our country.
Two weeks ago Somalia launched a direct
armed attack against Ethiopia’s security forces along the frontier and earlier
reports that the Somalia Government has maintained training centres in Somalia
for preparing armed bandits to violate and commit acts of violence and
subversion in Ethiopia were conclusively confirmed. Ethiopia promptly invoked
the Charter of African Unity and requested an extraordinary meeting of the
Council of Ministers of the O.A.U. Somalia, however, chose not to refer this
matter to her African brothers. Instead, in an attempt to involve non-African
nations in a dispute which should, initially at least, be considered by
Africans, she appealed to the Security Council of the United Nations. In
accordance with Ethiopia's request, and, belatedly, Somalia’s, the Council of
Ministers met at Dares-Salaam. Ethiopia has observed the Resolutions adopted
there but, in direct violation of these Resolutions, Somalia has ceased neither
her armed attacks nor her propaganda campaign and has continued her aggression
against Our nation.
In
recent days, Somalia has embarked upon a new course. First, she alleged that
American and Israeli aircraft were involved in hostilities on Ethiopia's side,
then that British troops had joined Ethiopian forces in action against Somalia.
These charges are, of course, unfounded and are complete fabrications, as is
virtualy everything emanating from Mogadiscio these days. Ethiopia is
self-reliant. We need no non-African assistance to defend our soil. Ethiopia
has strained every energy to ensure that Africans themselves refrain from and
avoid the shedding of African blood, and the energies of all of us should be
enlisted in this effort. Only a few days ago, the Prime Minister of Somalia
threatened to unleash 150,000 armed nomads from the Republic against Ethiopia.
To this, let Us only reply that history bears witness that, in less time than
it would take to recount, were it necessary to do so, Ethiopia could have under
arms one soldier for every member of Somalia’s entire population. The Prime
Minister's reckless statement reflects only on those who speak in this fashion
and any action such as that threatened by the Somalia leaders would have the
most far-reaching consequences. Ethiopia is not boastful, but her history testifies
to the courage and bravery of which she disposes in defending her territory and
her independence. She has been preserved with the help of the Almighty, Who is
ever at her side.
Shall Defend Soil
Thus far, Ethiopia has restrained herself.
We shall continue to do so, but we shall defend our soil and our territorial
integrity with all the force at our disposal. But the permanent solution to
this problem lies only in Somalia's final renunciation of the policy of
territorial aggrandizement which she has unswervingly followed during the last
three and one-half years and which has led to the sorry state of relations
between our two nations today.
One
final point must be clear. There is no border conflict between Ethiopia and
Somalia. The border is defined in the Treaties of 1897 and 1908, which
constitute the very basis upon which Somalia was granted her independence by
the United Nations. The frontier in the North, defined in the Treaty of 1897
between Ethiopia and Great Britain, has been demarcated on the ground for over
thirty years. The boundary in the South, defined in the Treaty of 1908 with
Italy, has not been so demarcated, but half of the countries of the world today
live in peace with their neighbours while their common frontiers remain
undemarcated. When the United Nations placed the former Italian colony of
Somaliland under trusteeship in 1950, a Provisional Administrative Line was
established by the United Nations and, at Ethiopia's insistence, this Line was
defined with precision. When Somalia became independent in 1960, this same Line
determined the limits of the new Republic.
It is clear that the aggression which
Somalia has committed against Ethiopia is not an isolated incident or an act of
recklessness unrelated to some broader pattern. It is part and parcel of the
expansionist policy which Somalia has consistenly adhered to since July 1,
1960. It is equally clear that this policy is unacceptable to Ethiopia. We seek
only peace. We still retain the hope that the people of Somalia who have, on
various occasions, expressed their deep concern over the policies detrimental
to Somalia and her people, may yet repudiate the adventure upon which their
leaders have embarked in order that bloodshed may end and tranquility may once
again be restored to the Horn of Africa. How far better it would be were the
money expended in the pursuit of columny and aggression used, instead, for the
benefit and welfare of the people of Somalia. How far wiser it would be were
Somalia's leaders working in a spirit of harmony and friendship, for the
improvement of relations between our two countries.
We have already explained Our position to
the African leaders who have tried to reconcile our differences with Somalia
and who have sent messages and special envoys to Us. For their concern, and for
the interest and sympathy which they and their people have manifested, We
express Our thanks. We have told them that we covet no one's territory, but
that neither will we yield what is ours. We have stated our wish to live in
peace and harmony with our neighbours. Seeking nothing which is theirs, we also
do not seek their enmity.
Feb. 24, 1964.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 671 –
