VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
It gives Us the greatest pleasure to
welcome, on Our own behalf and on behalf of the entire Ethiopian people, Your
Majesty and Prince Philip who are with Us in Ethiopia as Our honoured guests.
We have long and eagerly looked forward to your coming, and We greet you this
evening with respect and affection.
In coming to Ethiopia, Your Majesty, You
have reaffirmed the friendship and depth of feeling which have for so long
existed between Our two nations and their peoples and which serve as an
indissoluble bond between us. You have, as well, contributed fresh evidence of
the universality of man and of the fundamental and deep-seated ties which unite
all people, whatever their race, cultural orientation or economic and social
background, who share common principles and ideals and who strive for the
attainment of man’s most cherished goals. The Commonwealth of which Your Majesty
is the Head stands today as symbol of this universality and provides, in its
own way, encouragement for those of us who seek, on this African continent, to
utilize in Our search for true unity what is best among the common instincts
and aspirations shared by all men.
The Ethiopian and British peoples and
Governments are old friends. Contacts between us stretch back many years. Our
friendship was cemented and rendered indissoluble during the unhappy years in
which Ethiopians, abandoned to the aggressor, struggled against overwhelming
odds, first, to preserve their nation’s independence, and later, to free it
from the despot’s heel. We personally cherish mixed emotions concerning those
years. From 1936 to 1941, separated from Our people, exiled in a strange land
while We laboured to muster sympathy and support for Ethiopia’s cause, We were
received by the British people with a warmth which nourished and strengthened
Our will. And when, finally, the just God called the tyrant aggressor to
account, soldiers of many lands marching under the British flag, fought side by
side with Our patriots for the liberation of the subjugated and the triumph of
justice and liberty over tyranny and oppression.
Today, Ethiopia looks to the British as
staunch and firm friends in the struggle being waged throughout the world
against poverty, ignorance and want.
Cultural Ties
Throughout the years, Ethiopia has enjoyed
and benefited from the interest of British scholars and friends who have sought
to know our country well and to convey to the world from which our nation was
so long isolated a true sense of the richness of our life and the diversity of
our culture. As this knowledge has been diffused, Ethiopia has been helped to
emerge proudly to play a fuller role in inter-national affairs. It is upon this
knowledge and understanding that we have sought to build the international
unity of the spirit which today constitutes the most important force for good
in the search for a lasting world peace and a decent way of life for humanity.
With the raising of all men to their rightful dignity and honour as
individuals, they will be able to regard their fellows, of whatever nation, of
whatever race, of whatever religious, linguistic or historical tradition, as equals,
without jealousy, without fear, without undue pride. The British people are
united with us in this field and we are confident that they will continue to
lend their unstinting efforts in the accomplishment of the immense task which,
together with other people of good will, they have joined their efforts.
Your Majesty, during Your Reign, which
commenced in an African country only a little distance to the South, You have
carried forward gloriously the traditions of Your lineage and brought new
honour to the Throne which You occupy. Your Majesty personally enjoys today the
respect, the admiration and the affection of all peoples to whom Britain serves
as the symbol of indomitability in adversity, of courage when confronted by
danger, of dignity and resolve when threatened with defeat, and of magnanimity
and generosity in victory.
We
shall never forget the warm and friendly reception accorded to Us by the
British people during Our state visit a decade ago. Similarly, We trust that
your stay with us will be pleasant. We hope that you will carry away with you
deep and abiding memories of Our nation and its people.
We ask all here assembled now to join Us
in a toast to the continued friendship between the British and Ethiopian peoples,
to the growth in prosperity and well-being of the British nation, to the
health, long life and personal happiness of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Feb. 1, 1965.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie
– page 126 –
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| Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia in 1965 |
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| 1965, visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Addis Ababa |
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| HIM Qedamawi Haile Selassie with the young Queen Elizabeth II, 1958 |
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