BANQUET IN HONOUR OF PRESIDENT
NOVOTNY
President
Antonin Novotny
and Madame
Bozena Novotna.
It
is Our great pleasure to greet this evening the leader of a great and friendly
nation, a country with which Ethiopia has tong enjoyed close ties and with
which a special sympathy and understanding exist. We take this opportunity to
welcome Your Excellency and your wife to Ethiopia.
Seven
years ago in response to Your Excellency’s invitation, We had the pleasure of
visiting your beautiful country and the friendly people of Czechoslovakia. We
vividly recall the warm and cordial welcome accorded to Us by the people of
Czechoslovakia and members of your government. During Our visit We were able to
witness the great achievements accomplished by your people in the field of
science and technology. The bonds of friendship that so happily exist between
Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia are of longstanding. During this period our two
countries have co-operated in many fields both in times of war and peace.
Ethiopia
and Czechoslovakia have much in common. Both our countries had a similar
experience in the resistance against a cruel and merciless aggressor whose
motive was to put our peoples under its colonial domination. During the dark
hours Czechoslovakia was among the very few countries that courageously raised
its voice in denouncing the invasion of Our country by the fascist aggressor.
In doing so, Czechoslovakia gave Us support not only in upholding our rightful
cause at the League of Nations but has also supported Us with the much needed
arms and ammunitions for the defence of Our beloved country against the
invader. In the early part of the post-war period, when We commenced to
reorganize Our Armed Forces, it was from Czechoslovakia that We were able to
purchase modern weapons to equip Our army. In view of this, can one expect
greater friendship? All these manifest the prevalence of a long and profound
friendship between our two countries.
Old
True Friend
At
present Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia are co-operating in many fields. The
Government of Czechoslovakia is actively participating in the implementation of
Our Five-Year Plan by providing Us with assistance. As a result of such
co-operation the age-old relations that exist between our two countries have
been strengthened. On this occasion We would like once again to reaffirm to
Your Excellency that Ethiopia considers Czechoslovakia an old and a true
friend. We wish to say here that in Our endeavours We strive not only for the
progress and happiness of our countries and people but to humanity at large for
the cause of world peace.
In
Our age man has replaced his individualistic attitude by a larger cause, namely
the good of society. This is encouraging. The method employed to achieve the
social and economic objectives that each country sets for itself may differ.
The cultural and historical background of each country accounts for this
difference. A few years back, due to this economic and social difference the
relations between countries had deteriorated to such an extent that men were
fearful of a third world war. Today this fear has diminished and the people of
the world are hopeful for a better and a more secure tomorrow. It is our duty
to work for the realization of this noble objective.
In Our view differences in economic and social systems
should not give rise to mistrust and misunderstanding among nations. On the
contrary, We should accept diversity in culture and tradition and coexist
peacefully. Though Your Excellency’s visit to Ethiopia is short, We are
convinced that it will contribute to the promotion of this objective as well as
further the long-standing friendship which exists between our two countries.
We are hopeful that Your Excellency’s stay in Our
country will be a pleasant one. Let us, therefore, raise our glasses for His
Excellency’s long life and happiness, that of Madame Novotna and for the
continued progress and prosperity of our two peoples.
Nov. 15, 1966.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile
Selassie - page 148 -
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen