IN THE KREMLIN, MOSCOW, 1967
Mr.
President:
Accept,
Excellency, my deep appreciation for the kind words addressed to me and my
people. It is with great pleasure that I find myself once again in your great
and friendly country. The welcome which was accorded to me and through me to
the Ethiopian people in my previous visit has been a rich and rewarding
experience which I always recall with pleasure. In my present visit you have
extended me an even greater and more friendly welcome, which I shall always
deeply cherish.
The close friendship that so happily
exists between our two peoples has been of long-standing. It has not only
with-stood the test of time, but has even expanded and grown firmer through
these years. This I am convinced will continue to be strengthened and shall, as
in the past, give lasting benefit to our two peoples.
The national strength of a country is
measured by the human and material resources it has at its disposal. Being
aware that the exploitation of my country’s natural resources requires ample
technical know-how, I, throughout my reign, gave priority to the advancement of
education in Ethiopia. It is with satisfaction that I note here that my
endeavours in this field are bearing fruit and that my country is well on its
way to becoming self-sufficient in this regard.
It is my expressed wish that the widest
fruitful economic co-operation be established between our two countries. The
assistance extended to Ethiopia by the USSR to raise the living standard of her
people, namely, through the establishment of an oil refinery in Assab, the
Technical College in Bahr-Dar and the USSR’s hospital in Addis Ababa are worthy
examples of such co-operation.
The main foundation of Ethiopia’s foreign policy is to live in peace and
harmony with all states and particularly with her neighbours, and in the light
of this spirit and the principles of Bandung such as: non-interference in the
inter-nal affairs of other states and respect for the territorial integrity of
all states; to cooperate with all in various fields of human endeavour with a
view to promoting the general good and welfare of mankind. Ethiopia is equally
dedicated to the cause of freedom and unity in Africa and to the cause of peace
and understanding in the world, in close collaboration with the sister African
states, and my people shall continue to contribute their share to the struggle
of emancipating our brethren, who are still under the yoke of colonial rule. We
believe that whatever measure we take in order to realize our goals in
attaining a completely free Africa, it can best be done through the
Organization of African Unity. It is, therefore, in the best interest and for
the healthy progress and development of our continent to strengthen this
organization. The peoples of Africa are determined that not one inch of African
soil shall remain in the hands of the colonialists and in this noble struggle
we shall not fail to look for support and encouragement from our proven friends
among whom the USSR is prominent.
The principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of states and
respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of independent nations
which are embodied in the Charter of the OAU and the U.N. should be implemented
in full measure by member states so that the necessary climate will be created
for full co-operation. If this precondition is assured, it is our firm belief,
that the great goals we have set for our continent to carry, will not be out of
reach.
The League of Nations, by failing to restrain the fascist aggressor,
allowed the forces of evil a free reign and it was only after the sacrifice of
the lives of millions of innocent people, amongst whom the people of the USSR
had to bear heavy losses, and the extensive destruction to property the world
over, that this evil was finally destroyed.
Injustice In Africa
Once again injustice is being committed and practised in Africa. In the
case of Rhodesia the U.N. has approved sanctions, the same weapon which proved
ineffective over a decade ago. I believe that this measure too is bound to fail
unless it is accompanied by the use of force.
I would like to add that after much
sacrifice the world has created the United Nations Organization; but the U.N.
can only be effective, provided its members are willing to make it strong by
giving their wholehearted support in each and every case where justice, decency
and fairmindedness so demand. It is of the utmost importance that the U.N.
should have at all times the confidence and support of all its members.
I would like to refer to the efforts made
by my country concerning the tragic situation which still exists in Vietnam. It
will be recalled that I have, on several occasions, expressed my deep concern
that this grave situation has continued for so many years and that no workable
solution has as yet been found. I have already expressed my readiness to avail
my good offices and to do my utmost to bring the concerned parties to the
negotiating table. It is with great concern that I view the present conflict in
South-East Asia and deeply regret that the numerous efforts made by several
states have been ignored by those actively engaged in this bitter struggle.
We are convinced that in order to save our
planet from total destruction every effort and all the necessary sacrifices
must be made by all peace-loving nations both big and small, towards the
attainment of total and complete disarmament, and to see to it that the
manifold gifts of the atom are used, instead, for the eradication of disease
and poverty and the betterment of mankind.
It
is my ardent belief that all nations must live in peace and friendship with
each other, religion or socio-political structure notwithstanding. This right
and proper attitude must, in our opinion, be cultivated and developed by all
nations. I believe that all nations have to advance along the path which they
think is most reasonable and desirable in accordance with their culture,
tradition and sense of values. In conclusion, I want to express my deepest
gratitude to the President, government and peoples of the USSR at whose
invitation I am visiting this great country. I am fully confident that this
present visit will further strengthen the traditional and friendly relations
which exist between our two peoples. I request all gathered here to raise their
glasses to this spirit of friendship, and to the health of the Soviet leaders
and the continued prosperity of the peoples of the USSR as well as for the
maintenance and the promotion of peace and understanding in the world.
Feb. 27, 1967.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 159 –
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