Speech of The Day (132): TO NAVAL CADETS

TO NAVAL CADETS

Until quite recently, we Ethiopians were giving as an excuse for the country’s retarded progress the fact that our seaports and territorial waters had been in foreign hands. Today, we have regained our coastal territory and our ports.

In order that no fear of any kind may exist regarding Our waters and to safeguard the smooth functioning of Our sea coasts, a Naval Force made up of Ethiopian Coast Guards and men has been established which is now well on its way. Therefore, the entire people of Ethiopia must keep themselves in readiness for work since We have no other reasons to give should Ethiopia’s progress lag behind from now onwards.

Since Our main aim and desire has been to see that self-help is attained in all respects, the ever-increasing number of trained young men graduating at home and abroad in various fields each year serves as concrete evidence that Our efforts in this line have been met with blessings signifying Our having reached the point of the desired goal. This is really praiseworthy. What is more satisfactory and a source of pride to any individual than the attainment of self-help?

Our hope would be fulfilled when, you Ethiopian members of the Naval Force, are capable through completing your studies in the shortest possible time, diligently to guard Our sea coasts and islands by using Our ships. The enemy should be checked from the beginning before going far and Our history is a good example demonstrating the arduous difficulty involved in driving out the enemy and the aftermath suffered thereby. It is for this reason that Our sea coasts should remain well guarded.

Internal Unity

Since the best chance for one country to attack another comes through noting the weaknesses of the attacked and the division of its people within, We can through organizing Our defence forces to the maximum and by strengthening Our internal unity close all openings against the enemy. Our unity being Our formidable weapon of defence, it should be kept more strengthened than Our other forces of defence. Otherwise the manpower and defence weapons so organized will be used for the destruction of the beloved country in serving the enemy’s purpose.

In extending Our congratulations to all of you Cadets assembled here after completing your studies, We would like you to realize that the knowledge you have acquired so far is no end in itself but a reminder for the further responsibilities that await you. There should be no moment in any man’s life to seek rest after completing his education. You should not therefore overlook the fact that it is through ceaseless practice and experience and by training others that you would be able to prove your individual qualifications and worth.

We remind you therefore that you should utilize your whole thoughts and knowledge to the ultimate objective of moral satisfaction and the pride of your countrymen regardless of your personal interests. Your job takes care of you and there will not be any need to concern yourselves with your personal affairs.

We extend Our thanks to Commander Iskinder Desta who has helped you to reach the present stage and the entire members of the Naval Force and in particular the Norwegian officers and non-commissioned officers and other foreign nationals and We heartily thank the Government of the United States for its assistance. We wish that God will assist you in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to you.

Jan. 21, 1963.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 66 –         

Speech of The Day (131): ON NOMINATION OF FIRST CHURCH HEAD, ARCHBISHOP BASILIOS

ON NOMINATION OF FIRST CHURCH HEAD, ARCHBISHOP BASILIOS

We are thankful to God at the nomination of an Ethiopian to be the Archbishop of Ethiopia, which accomplishment We consider to be of the highest importance of all that We have done, during Our reign for the benefit of the Ethiopian Church.

The effort, undertaken several years ago, and the path We have had to travel since, for the gradual attainment of complete authority for the Ethiopian Church, has been too arduous to be forgotten.

At last, the work willed by God has been accomplished, and He has given Our independent nation a Church, endowed with authority, which ranks among the free churches of the world. This accomplishment, which has taken place during Our reign, constituted a matter of pride for Us as well as for Our people. The monarchs of Our ancestry earnestly desired and hoped to witness this event; and God has enabled Us to see realized the hope, strengthened by faith.

Our congratulations go to Your Grace that you are the first Ethiopian to be entrusted with such a high and sacred duty during Our reign. An era of increased mutual respect and cordiality has opened between the Ethiopian and Egyptian Orthodox Churches.

Our thanks are due to His Holiness Yosab II, of the Holy Seat of St. Mark, who consented to bring this matter to a settlement, in the light of God's inspiration; We are happy to remark that this ecclesiastical evolution, effected in Our age, points to our common good luck.

Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man ranks supreme among all creatures. Led forward by spiritual power, man can reach the summit destined for him by the Great Creator.

In Your Grace is vested the responsibility for the contribution of the Ethiopian Church, for its part, towards giving the remedy for, and the spiritual comfort to, the wounds caused by the evil in the world. Moreover, in particular, the duty is yours for giving guidance to the Ethiopian people for their benefit in their terrestrial as well celestial lives.

We earnestly hope that God grant you strength and His Grace to help you discharge the heavy duties that you shoulder.

Jan. 19, 1951.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 631 –        

German translation 

HIM addresses a diplomatic reception on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee in theThrone Room of the Menelik Palace (Behind him is the great canopied double throne). Abune Basilios on the left.

Abune Basilios makes a speech in the Presence of HIM QHS.

HIM QHS, Abune Basilios (centre) and Archbishop Lukas of Arusi province.

Speech of The Day (130): DEVELOPMENT REFORMS ERITREA

DEVELOPMENT REFORMS  ERITREA

On our current visit to Eritrea, We felt extremely happy to note and realize that the welcome accorded Us by the people is sincere, deep and genuine. We have already spoken clearly about the administration of Eritrea, of the past and future. That Eritrea, before the federal union with Ethiopia, stayed separated for 60 years by the design of imperialists and colonialists and not by the will of God, has been manifested by the ultimate unity achieved. The struggle undertaken by the people to effect the reunification of Eritrea with Ethiopia is also very clear.

It is not necessary to enumerate countries where the people and the entire country having lost unity, spiritual or otherwise, have become playgrounds and laughing stocks of outsiders. The historical events of certain countries bear witness to this fact. In our own times, there are those expansionists who by shedding blood, desire to achieve their ambition and by dismembering themselves they are seen as tools for alien interests. Our people from Ethiopia shed blood, to save them from disintegration. Those personalities who believe in freeing a country by secession are selfish and prey to outsiders. We will not accept their motives.

The Eritrean people and their representatives work not only for Eritrea but for the entire Ethiopia too. They have worked for the welfare of the country even before the hard-ship. What brings people together is not only history, culture and geography but also the various voluntary social associations as well as economic interests and sharing infirmities or benefits in common; that is very clear.

Anyone, therefore, by investing his capital and wealth enjoys the benefits for himself and this situation provides general well-being by strengthening the unity of a people and by raising its living standard too.

In order to amass private wealth and benefit from it in peace and security, it is necessary to comply with the fundamental precepts of the society. So being, even the accumulation of private property emanates from a harmonious social life and entails certain obligations. One of these typical obligations would be to put one’s private capital into use. Since wealth is acquired by hard labour it is necessary to manifest an effort by using the invested capital.

Development Plans

The natural resources such as mines and others found in Eritrea and the other parts of Ethiopia remain the property of the Government and would be utilized in such effective ways facilitating the speedy progress and development of the Empire. It is also the duty of the people to render their service to the Government and the Government in turn is bound to serve the people.

Though it is difficult to effect the overall development of a nation in a short time, besides the projects which have already been accomplished, We have laid down for the development of this part of Our country the projects out-lined in the Second Five-Year Plan.

The projected development plan includes:

1. The Zula Dam and the oil-finding survey on the Red Sea Coast already

     costing Eth. $2,000,000. The fact                         

2. that We have spent so much while the federation was still in existence is proof    

    of Our belief in the oneness of Eritrea and Ethiopia. We are negotiating with        

    private firms to discover oil and We are confident to effect an agreement with

    the firms concerned when the oil is discovered.

3. The survey for the discovery of copper and iron ore would be completed in

    the near future.

4. A new organization would be established to encourage the development of

    cotton plantations in the Province of Tessenei and the other lowlands and at

    the same time to advise and grant loans to farmers.

5. Studies for the establishment of a cement factory have been completed and

    the factory would be in operation soon.

6. We have allotted Eth. $1,000,000 for transport, forestry, irrigation systems

    and for administrative purposes.

7. An additional Eth. $2,000,000 has been added to the Eth. $500,000 previously

    allocated to construct the road from Areza to Bosheka.

8. We have further approved to restudy the tax levied on fuels consumed by

    agricultural machineries.

9. To help the people inhabiting the lowlands We have, as We expressed earlier,

    made arrangements for the Areza-Bosheka road.

The outlined are projects undertaken by the Government. We have also formulated plans to help private enterprises help themselves and the people. The Development Bank would be founded to realize Our concern on this line.

We have also made arrangements for Our people to benefit by purchasing shares from the private companies. Our endeavour to help the people also pre-supposes that the people should help Us. The wealth of Eritrea is the wealth

of Ethiopia and the wealth of Ethiopia is the wealth of Eritrea.

The realization of such a plan to effect the overall development of the national interest requires the active participation of the people and We have as such given instructions to members of the Eritrean Assembly to labour for the cause. This also calls for the co-ordination of the efforts exerted here as well as in the capital. The Police Force has so far rendered service and it would be given help to continue its service.

It is Our fervent hope that Almighty God will guide and bring Our efforts to fruition.

Jan. 18, 1963.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 426 –       

Speech of The Day (129): GINDA DAM CORNERSTONE

GINDA DAM CORNERSTONE

Until such time when Ethiopia becomes fully developed and is self-sufficient all of us have to labour hard and contribute our share to this end in accordance with the abilities, with which the Almighty God has endowed us in His bounty.

If we labour diligently and fully develop our country the nation will not only be vouchsafed a prosperous life, but it can also be a source of help to others. The wealth and natural resources of the nation are such that loans contracted for their exploitation will undoubtedly prove to be very rewarding. Since agriculture and animal husbandry are the main wealth of the nation and the mainstay of Our people, it is with high hope and great expectation that We are present here in Ginda to lay the foundation stone of this dam which envisages the control and regulation of the flood waters that come from the highlands so as to enable its national utilization for irrigational purposes.

There is no doubt that with the construction of this dam and the introduction and employment of modern agricultural methods and techniques, the people of this area will derive added benefits which will accordingly contribute to the raising of their standard of living and general well-being. When the mineral resources of Our country are exploited in addition to our agricultural resources Ethiopia can have everything in abundance, provided we collaborate and co-operate in the realization of our national aims. Otherwise we have no reason to be bitter against the Almighty if we run short of our needs because of our failure.

His Highness Ras Asrate Kassa in his speech has just enumerated some of the salient features of the measures taken for the development and growth of this province and the results achieved from the implementation of such measures. Although what we have accomplished so far is indicative of the fact that we have not failed in our endeavours to do Our utmost for the good of Our people, yet as We have already said in the past, We feel that the greater task still lies ahead.

The equitable and balanced growth of the provinces of Our Empire, in accordance with Our resources, both in the field of education and health as well as in other areas of development which could further promote the standard of living of Our people continue to engage Our attention and energy. Such development enables Our people to acquire the same standards achieved by the already developed countries.

We have directed Our efforts to this noble objective so that Our beloved people would not be denied the fruits of modern living. It is with pleasure that We view the progress achieved by all the projects which were launched in this and other provinces of Our Empire in order to develop and strengthen Our economy. Our pleasure is mainly derived from the fact that these productive projects generate incomes which would enable Our people to achieve and maintain the standard to which they aspire as well as to exercise fully their rights which We have given to them in accordance with Our constitution.

When We view in general the heartening progress made in the field of education in Ethiopia We should not overlook the fact that it is also necessary that the facilities in this regard should be sufficient. It can be said that there are many schools in the province of Eritrea. However. We feel that they are not enough and so it is Our duty to augment their number in the future before the matter becomes urgent.

In the past the development of Our country and the progress for Our people were entirely dependent upon the financial resources drawn from Our Government Treasury. Now, however, it is encouraging to know that the private sector is actively participating in this field through the establishment of lasting and mutually beneficial projects. Such undertaking have helped in relieving the pressure on Our Government which otherwise should have borne the incidence.

The initiative and eagerness on the part of the public to participate and contribute in full measure its share will no doubt help in accelerating the tempo of our economic and social development activities. To understand and accept the very principle implemented in its full significance is a matter from which pleasure can be derived.

To do one’s job is one thing and to be indifferent in general and be critical of the work of others is another matter. The former requires competence, determination and wisdom, while the latter lacks these qualities and virtues. We, therefore, urge Our countrymen to rededicate themselves to the great task that still awaits each one of them in the realization of Our ambitious programme of nation-building. In this regard it is gratifying to note the diligence and hard work of both men and women in this province, a fact, which has given Us much satisfaction.

We should bear in mind that it is a natural obligation for mankind to live by the sweat of his brow. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all Ethiopians to use their energies and natural gifts and inclinations constructively for the achievement of Our national goals so that there will be a bright and promising tomorrow for their children and their children's children.

After Eritrea suffered under a forced foreign rule it was administered by Great Britain and thereafter reunited with Ethiopia, the mother country. Since the will of the Lord prevails, Our people of Eritrea through His wise guidance have with diligence and dedicated service to their country attained their present stage of development after the period of the re-integration of this province with Ethiopia.

In seeing this realized together with what the rest of Our country is doing in unison, gives Us pleasure. We draw satisfaction from Our past accomplishments and have high hopes in Our present undertakings which are entirely dependent upon the generosity of the Almighty God.

It is Our responsibility to look after the interests and welfare of our people which is the will of Our Creator. However, the responsibility in this regard is a collective one and should not be shunned.

Since this project, upon completion, will provide new employment opportunities for Our people and in view of the economic and social benefits that it envisages to offer, We, for Our part, shall closely follow with keen interest its progress and future development. Our thanks go to Mr. De Nadai for his efforts and services which he has rendered in connection with the works of this dam and the establishment of the share company that intends to carry out the present undertaking. In view of his contributions in the field of agriculture in Ethiopia, a fact that has been confirmed by the prize that he was awarded by the Haile Selassie I Prize Trust, We are confident that with his vast experience in this field, he will do his utmost for the development and success of this project.

Before concluding Our remarks We take this opportunity to express Our deep satisfaction for the services which His Highness Ras Kassa and his assistants have rendered by contributing their share to ensure the economic progress and healthy development of this province. We are hopeful that the present achievements will give added strength to their future work and endeavour.

Jan. 18, 1967.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 586 –         

Speech of The Day (128): Naval Cadets - Massawa

Important Utterances of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I - page 86 -