SILVER JUBILEE: GUENET MILITARY
TRAINING CENTRE
This
Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the founding by Us, of the Guenet Military
Training Centre is evocative of a long and decisive period, a culminating era
of Ethiopian history.
It
has fallen to few countries of this world to struggle, alone, unaided but
successfully, for the preservation of their independence. To still fewer has it
been the good fortune which has been vouchsafed to Us by the Almighty
Protector, to have been able to defend that independence over so long a span of
history.
Many
and severe have been the waves of attack which have beaten against the
fastnesses of Our beloved homeland. Numerous have been the occasions when the
way of compromise offered its tempting vistas. Yet, throughout her three
thousand years of independence, Ethiopia has always sought to defend herself
alone but for the transcendent aid and courage inspired by a devout faith in
the Almighty. In her national defence, as in her national life, as it is
recorded in Holy Writ: “Ethiopia stretches out her hands unto God.”
The
military chronicles of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, the victories of
Dogali and of Adowa in the 19th and the ever-memorable defence entered upon
under Our leadership but a few months following the establishment of the Guenet
Military Training Centre, as indeed the founding of that institution itself,
all testify with eloquence to the traditional determination of Ethiopia to
defend herself by her own means, without compromise and without quarter.
Founded on Eve of Italo-Ethiopian War
Thus
by founding of that Military Training Centre on the eve of the most momentous
struggle in her history, Ethiopia demonstrated to the world her unshakable confidence
in victory through the courage and military virtues of her people. This resolve
has never vacillated under Our Reign. While engaging military experts from
abroad, while purchasing arms within the limits of her capacity, Ethiopia has
never compromised her independence however pressing the exigencies of the hour.
We
recall with gratitude the services of the Swedish Military Officers who made the
initial and expertly successful contribution towards the functioning of the
Military Training Centre and whose successors are today continuing their
collaboration in the building of a strong and modern national army. Belgian
military tradition and science have also made their valued contribution towards
the resilient Imperial Body Guard.
In
addition to the invaluable assistance of the British during the liberation of
Ethiopia at a time when Ethiopia lay vulnerable and exhausted from the struggle
of national liberation, the British Military Mission made a powerful and
never-to-be forgotten contribution towards the rebuilding of a modern Army and
in these very walls resumed the instruction and the academic traditions
suspended in the hours of bitter conflict. If today, Ethiopia stands to the
forefront among the military forces in Africa and the Middle East, it is due to
this vital military tradition, to the strong sense of discipline inculcated
over the years within this Training Centre by devoted officers from abroad and
today to the generous support in arms, equipment and instructors furnished by
the United States of America.
Welcome Helpers, Guests
On this memorable occasion, We, therefore,
particularly welcome the representatives of those States who have played a
significant role in the history of this Training Centre. At the same time, We
are gratified to note the presence of the distinguished representatives of Our
sister States in Africa, here to testify to the solidarity and common determination
of all African States to defend together the cause of freedom in Africa.
Your struggles, like those of Ethiopia,
stand as an inspiration to our brothers who are still striving towards the goal
of independence. The facts of history stand to confirm to them the importance
and efficacy of self-help and courage in the struggle for freedom. It is the
duty of those States who have already gained their independence, to collaborate
in all fields and ways, to strengthen and broaden the bases and armatures of
the free and independent politics of Africa, and promptly to come to the
defence of those nations yet to be born when, in the difficult first hours
after birth, their freedom could be threatened or indeed, stifled. It is in
this larger context that this and all other national institutions of African
States must be constantly viewed.
African
Unity, Cornerstone
Unity should be the cornerstone of relations among African States for it
would ensure confidence and co-operation. Disunity, on the other hand, while
dissipating their strength, always ends in regrettable results. For this
reason, We are making arrangements to grant scholarships to Our African
brothers to study in Our military institutions.
In
but a few weeks, the Independent African States will convene in Our Capital to
explore the means and avenues for advancing this high cause of the freedom,
independence and progress of the African peoples. It is Our conviction that the
Guenet Military Training Centre has already, during the last quarter of a
Century, well served this noble objective. May a yet broader and more
fructifying mission be reserved, in the coming years, to this institution which
has so well earned the lasting gratitude of Our beloved people.
Mutual
confidence and collaboration should exist among the African Nations. As
disunity always brings regrettable results, it is with this object in view that
We are granting scholarships in Our military institutions to Our African
brothers.
In
conclusion we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the delegations
from friendly countries who have come to join in the celebration of this Silver
Jubilee of this Military Training Centre for the Souvenirs given by them as
well as to our military units and civil administration, which certainly express
the thoughtfulness for the welfare of this institution.
Apr. 29,
1960.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie
– page 61 –
 |
| HIM QHS
with one foot on an undetonated bomb shortly after an Italian air
bombardment during the Italo-Ethiopian War 1935-1936 near Addis Ababa -
everything around HIM and His entourage had been destroyed but they kept
safe and secure. |
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