| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
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| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| ... And today, another major step is being taken along the path which We have marked out for Our beloved country in bridging the gap between the isolation in which Ethiopia lived for so many years and the modern world. |
| Imperial Navel College - 1st Graduation Jan. 22, 1959 |
| Selected Speeches |
Today, as We participate inthe first graduation exercises at the Imperial
Navel College, We return in memory to that day just over six years ago
when Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia and this seacoast on the Red
Sea, so long separated from our Empire was reunited with its motherland.
Our heart and that of the entire Ethiopian nation overflowed with joy on
that day. It was, for us, the realization of a desire which we had long
cherished.
But the attainment of any one goal is never more than a temporary
achievement. A mountain top is reached, beyond, on the far slope, there
are new lands to explore, and new peaks to scale. As each goal along
life's path is reached, new vistas open before us, and new challenges are
made. It is indeed, an immutable law of life that man's striving can never
end, that to pause in life's struggle is to slip back along the road to
progress. Man is born in sorrow, and in the sweat of this brow must he
earn his bread.
The reuniting of this seacoast with its ancient motherland constituted a
clear challenge to use for the benefit of Our entire Empire the potential
which this avenue to the Red Sea represents. We have laboured mightily
to meet this challenge. We have undertaken the development of the Port
to Assab, which will provide our Empire with another major port. In the
steps which we have taken to improve comunications throughout Our
Empire full and careful consideration has been given to the need to
increase the flow of trade through these ports and take advantage of the
strategic position which they occupy on this great commercial life-line.
We have taken various other measures to improve and enhance the use
and development of this area, and We have other projects in mind which
will result in the greater utilization of this region and these harbours.
The achievements that are being witnessed here and elsewhere are in
themselves a testimony of the success of Ethiopia's development. We
would wish to note in this connection that in this as in other of Our efforts
and sacrifices We have always enjoyed the wholehearted and loyal support
of Our beloved Eritrean people.
And today, another major step is being taken along the path which We
have marked out for Our beloved Country in bridging the gap between the
isolation in which Ethiopia lived for so many years and the modern world.
Navel College, We return in memory to that day just over six years ago
when Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia and this seacoast on the Red
Sea, so long separated from our Empire was reunited with its motherland.
Our heart and that of the entire Ethiopian nation overflowed with joy on
that day. It was, for us, the realization of a desire which we had long
cherished.
But the attainment of any one goal is never more than a temporary
achievement. A mountain top is reached, beyond, on the far slope, there
are new lands to explore, and new peaks to scale. As each goal along
life's path is reached, new vistas open before us, and new challenges are
made. It is indeed, an immutable law of life that man's striving can never
end, that to pause in life's struggle is to slip back along the road to
progress. Man is born in sorrow, and in the sweat of this brow must he
earn his bread.
The reuniting of this seacoast with its ancient motherland constituted a
clear challenge to use for the benefit of Our entire Empire the potential
which this avenue to the Red Sea represents. We have laboured mightily
to meet this challenge. We have undertaken the development of the Port
to Assab, which will provide our Empire with another major port. In the
steps which we have taken to improve comunications throughout Our
Empire full and careful consideration has been given to the need to
increase the flow of trade through these ports and take advantage of the
strategic position which they occupy on this great commercial life-line.
We have taken various other measures to improve and enhance the use
and development of this area, and We have other projects in mind which
will result in the greater utilization of this region and these harbours.
The achievements that are being witnessed here and elsewhere are in
themselves a testimony of the success of Ethiopia's development. We
would wish to note in this connection that in this as in other of Our efforts
and sacrifices We have always enjoyed the wholehearted and loyal support
of Our beloved Eritrean people.
And today, another major step is being taken along the path which We
have marked out for Our beloved Country in bridging the gap between the
isolation in which Ethiopia lived for so many years and the modern world.
| Federation First Step |
| Haile Selassie the First - January 22, 1959 |
| A Goal Reached |
This College is the institution whereby the means will be provided to
discharge Our duties in the navel field, and the officer-cadets who will
graduate from this school are the instruments who will be called upon to
perform these tasks. You Cadets who have the good luck to become the
first commissioned officers of the Imperial Ethiopian Navy are to be
congratulated in the attainment of this moment. You too, however, are
subject to the operation of the law of life to which We have referred.
Today, a goal is reached, but it is for you only a way-station along a road
which will make increasingly greater demands of you as each succeeding
stage is reached. The future dares you to prove yourselves worthy of the
training which you have received, to fulfil the duties which now fall to
your lot and to aid Us in the discharge of those high duties to which We
have devoted Our entire life. This is the challenge which awaits you today.
You must always remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow,
you must obey the rules and regulations by which your conduct is to be
governed. Be proud of the uniform which you wear, do nothing that
would dishonour it. Strive always to bring credit upon yourself and your
motherland. If you are faithful to these precepts, you will have properly
and faithfully discharged your duty before Us and before your countrymen.
We are pleased today to present to the Imperial Naval College these
colours, which it will henceforth proudly display. They represent a
testimonial of the faith which We have reposed in this institution and in
those charged with its administration and the confidence which, in full
recognition of the high tasks which have been assigned the young men
who will study here, We contemplate this College's future growth and
development.
We extend Our thanks to all those whose contributions have made this
ceremony possible: to Ras Andargatchew, who has toiled unceasingly in
preparing the physical structures which comprise this institution; to the
Government of the United States of America, which has generously
contributed the vessels and equipment utilized in the training programme;
to the Ambassador of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr.
Don C. Bliss, who has co-operated wholeheartedly in the implementation
of this programme; to Commander Iskinder Desta who has with diligene
carried out the orders for the development of the school, and finally, to
those devoted Norwegian and American officers and men who have
instructed and trained the cadets who study here.
discharge Our duties in the navel field, and the officer-cadets who will
graduate from this school are the instruments who will be called upon to
perform these tasks. You Cadets who have the good luck to become the
first commissioned officers of the Imperial Ethiopian Navy are to be
congratulated in the attainment of this moment. You too, however, are
subject to the operation of the law of life to which We have referred.
Today, a goal is reached, but it is for you only a way-station along a road
which will make increasingly greater demands of you as each succeeding
stage is reached. The future dares you to prove yourselves worthy of the
training which you have received, to fulfil the duties which now fall to
your lot and to aid Us in the discharge of those high duties to which We
have devoted Our entire life. This is the challenge which awaits you today.
You must always remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow,
you must obey the rules and regulations by which your conduct is to be
governed. Be proud of the uniform which you wear, do nothing that
would dishonour it. Strive always to bring credit upon yourself and your
motherland. If you are faithful to these precepts, you will have properly
and faithfully discharged your duty before Us and before your countrymen.
We are pleased today to present to the Imperial Naval College these
colours, which it will henceforth proudly display. They represent a
testimonial of the faith which We have reposed in this institution and in
those charged with its administration and the confidence which, in full
recognition of the high tasks which have been assigned the young men
who will study here, We contemplate this College's future growth and
development.
We extend Our thanks to all those whose contributions have made this
ceremony possible: to Ras Andargatchew, who has toiled unceasingly in
preparing the physical structures which comprise this institution; to the
Government of the United States of America, which has generously
contributed the vessels and equipment utilized in the training programme;
to the Ambassador of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr.
Don C. Bliss, who has co-operated wholeheartedly in the implementation
of this programme; to Commander Iskinder Desta who has with diligene
carried out the orders for the development of the school, and finally, to
those devoted Norwegian and American officers and men who have
instructed and trained the cadets who study here.
The federation of Eritrea with Ethiopia was but the first step. For the
possession of a seacoast imposes grave responsibilities. Steps must be
taken to assure the defence of Our coastline. Action is required to
co-operate with Ethiopia's neighbours in the suppression of illicit trade.
We must prepare ourselves for the task of guiding and assisting those who
toil on the sea. These and many other duties devolve upon us by virtue of
Our Empire's geographical position on the Red Sea.
When We had in the past ventured into great undertakings, it has not been
with the certainty of seeing it accomplished in a matter of five or ten
years, but rather with the high hope and confidence that our efforts will
benefit the present and future generations of Our people.
But God in His wisdom has spared us to see great accomplishments, and
to look forward to yet greater achievements in all fields of national life.
Today, as we see more and more of the educated taking their proper
places in society with the goodwill and the determination to render loyal
services to their country, We are reminded of the statement that We made
some 15 years ago to the effect that the pride derived frm the merits of
worthy service is far greater than any feeling of pride that may spring
from the heritage of wealth and property. As a result of Our national
Programme of Education and the opportunities that it provides to all of
Our people, yet other chapters are being added to the long and glorious
history of Our country.
It is with satisfaction that We note that following the restoration to
Ethiopia of her ancient ports, great strides have been made in the navel
field, opening thus new and significant horizons and opportunities to the
Navy as indeed to the men that have joined its distinguished service.
Our constant endeavour is to insure for now as for all times the effective
defence of Our waters and seacoast, and We are happy to feel that while
establishing this College We have laid the foundation for the great future of
Our Imperial Navy.
Already, Our mind's eye is perceiving and promising achievements and we
feel certain that History will confirm Our confident belief that the Imperial
Ethiopian Navy will occupy a vital place and will play an important role in
the years that lie ahead.
possession of a seacoast imposes grave responsibilities. Steps must be
taken to assure the defence of Our coastline. Action is required to
co-operate with Ethiopia's neighbours in the suppression of illicit trade.
We must prepare ourselves for the task of guiding and assisting those who
toil on the sea. These and many other duties devolve upon us by virtue of
Our Empire's geographical position on the Red Sea.
When We had in the past ventured into great undertakings, it has not been
with the certainty of seeing it accomplished in a matter of five or ten
years, but rather with the high hope and confidence that our efforts will
benefit the present and future generations of Our people.
But God in His wisdom has spared us to see great accomplishments, and
to look forward to yet greater achievements in all fields of national life.
Today, as we see more and more of the educated taking their proper
places in society with the goodwill and the determination to render loyal
services to their country, We are reminded of the statement that We made
some 15 years ago to the effect that the pride derived frm the merits of
worthy service is far greater than any feeling of pride that may spring
from the heritage of wealth and property. As a result of Our national
Programme of Education and the opportunities that it provides to all of
Our people, yet other chapters are being added to the long and glorious
history of Our country.
It is with satisfaction that We note that following the restoration to
Ethiopia of her ancient ports, great strides have been made in the navel
field, opening thus new and significant horizons and opportunities to the
Navy as indeed to the men that have joined its distinguished service.
Our constant endeavour is to insure for now as for all times the effective
defence of Our waters and seacoast, and We are happy to feel that while
establishing this College We have laid the foundation for the great future of
Our Imperial Navy.
Already, Our mind's eye is perceiving and promising achievements and we
feel certain that History will confirm Our confident belief that the Imperial
Ethiopian Navy will occupy a vital place and will play an important role in
the years that lie ahead.
| Chapter I - Part 2 |
| Special Education |