| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| Home | Haile Selassie I | The Church | Rastalogy | Organization | Church Store | Events | Related Links | Contact Us |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. |
| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
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.
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
here 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 here
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 inclucated 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.
momentous struggle in her history, Ethiopia demonstrated to the world
here 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 here
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 inclucated 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.
| Haile Selassie the First - April 29, 1960 |
| 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.
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.
| Chapter I - Part 2 |
| Special Education |
| Guenet Military Training Centre - Silver Jubilee Apr. 29, 1960 |
| 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
Captital 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.
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
Captital 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.