| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Visit Of Queen Elizabeth II Feb. 01, 1965 |
| Selected Speeches |
It gives Us the greatest pleasure to welcome, on Our own behalf of the
entire Ethiopian people, Your Majesty and Prince Philip who are with Us in
Ethiopia as Our honoured guests. We have long and eagerly looked
forward to your coming, and We greet you this evening with respect and
affection.
In coming to Ethiopia, Your Majesty, You have reaffirmed the friendship
and depth of feeling which have for so long existed between Our two
nations and their peoples and which serve as an indissoluble bond between
Us. You have, as well, contributed fresh evidence of the unversality of
man and of the fundamental and deep-seated ties which unite all people,
whatever their race, cultural orientation or economic and social
background, who share common principles and ideals and who strive for
the attainment of man's most cherished goals. The Commonwealth of
which Your Majesty is the Head stands today as symbol of this
universality and provides, in its own way, encouragement for those of Us
who seek, on this African continent, to utilize in Our search for true unity
what is best among the common instincts and aspirations shared by all
men.
The Ethiopian and British peoples and Governments are old friends.
Contacts between Us stretch back many years. Our friendship was
cemented and rendered indissoluble during the unhappy years in which
Ethiopians, abandoned to the aggressor, struggled against overwhelming
odds, first, to preserve their nation's independence, and later, to free it
from the despot's heel. We personally cherish mixed emotions concerning
those years. From 1936 to 1941, separated form Our people, exiled in a
strange land while We laboured to muster sympathy and support for
Ethiopia's cause, We were received by the British people with a warmth
which nourished and strengthened Our will. And when, finally, the just
God called the tyrant aggressor to account, soldiers of many lands
marching under the British flag, fought side by side with Our patriots for
the liberation of the subjugated and the triumph of justice and liberty over
tyranny and oppression.
Today, Ethiopia looks to the British as staunch and firm friends in the
struggle being waged throughout the world against poverty, ignorance and
want.
entire Ethiopian people, Your Majesty and Prince Philip who are with Us in
Ethiopia as Our honoured guests. We have long and eagerly looked
forward to your coming, and We greet you this evening with respect and
affection.
In coming to Ethiopia, Your Majesty, You have reaffirmed the friendship
and depth of feeling which have for so long existed between Our two
nations and their peoples and which serve as an indissoluble bond between
Us. You have, as well, contributed fresh evidence of the unversality of
man and of the fundamental and deep-seated ties which unite all people,
whatever their race, cultural orientation or economic and social
background, who share common principles and ideals and who strive for
the attainment of man's most cherished goals. The Commonwealth of
which Your Majesty is the Head stands today as symbol of this
universality and provides, in its own way, encouragement for those of Us
who seek, on this African continent, to utilize in Our search for true unity
what is best among the common instincts and aspirations shared by all
men.
The Ethiopian and British peoples and Governments are old friends.
Contacts between Us stretch back many years. Our friendship was
cemented and rendered indissoluble during the unhappy years in which
Ethiopians, abandoned to the aggressor, struggled against overwhelming
odds, first, to preserve their nation's independence, and later, to free it
from the despot's heel. We personally cherish mixed emotions concerning
those years. From 1936 to 1941, separated form Our people, exiled in a
strange land while We laboured to muster sympathy and support for
Ethiopia's cause, We were received by the British people with a warmth
which nourished and strengthened Our will. And when, finally, the just
God called the tyrant aggressor to account, soldiers of many lands
marching under the British flag, fought side by side with Our patriots for
the liberation of the subjugated and the triumph of justice and liberty over
tyranny and oppression.
Today, Ethiopia looks to the British as staunch and firm friends in the
struggle being waged throughout the world against poverty, ignorance and
want.
| Cultural Ties |
| Haile Selassie the First - February 1, 1965 |
Throughout the years, Ethiopia has enjoyed and benefited from the interest
of British scholars and friends who have sought to know Our country well
and to convey to the world from which Our nation was so long isolated a
true sense of the richness of Our life and the diversity of Our culture. As
this knowledge has been diffused, Ethiopia has been helped to emerge
proudly to play a fuller role in international affairs. It is upon this
knowledge and understanding that We have sought to build the
international unity of the spirit which today consitutes the most important
force for good in the search for a lasting world peace and a decent way of
life for humanity. With the raising of all men to their rightful dignity and
honour as individuals, they will be able to regard their fellows, of whatever
nation, of whatever race, of whatever religious, linguistic or historical
tradition, as equals, without jealousy, without fear, without undue pride.
The British people are united with Us in this field and We are confident
that they will continue to lend their unstinting efforts in the
accomplishment of the immense task which, together with other people of
good will, they have joined their efforts.
Your Majesty, during Your Reign, which commenced in an African
country only a little distance to the South, You have carried forward
gloriously the traditions of Your lineage and brought new honour to the
Throne which You occupy. Your Majesty personally enjoys today the
respect, the admiration and the affection of all peoples to whom Britain
serves as the symbol of indomitability in adversity, of courage when
confronted by danger, of dignity and resolve when threatened with defeat,
and of magnanmity and generosity in victory.
we shall never forget the warm and friendly reception accorded to Us by
the British people during Our state visit a decade ago. Similarly, We trust
that your stay with Us will be pleasant. We hope that you will carry away
with you deep and abiding memories of Our nation and its people.
We ask all here assembled now to join Us in a toast to the continued
friendship between the British and Ethiopian peoples, to the growth in
prosperity and well-being of the British nation, to the health, long life and
personal happiness of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh.
of British scholars and friends who have sought to know Our country well
and to convey to the world from which Our nation was so long isolated a
true sense of the richness of Our life and the diversity of Our culture. As
this knowledge has been diffused, Ethiopia has been helped to emerge
proudly to play a fuller role in international affairs. It is upon this
knowledge and understanding that We have sought to build the
international unity of the spirit which today consitutes the most important
force for good in the search for a lasting world peace and a decent way of
life for humanity. With the raising of all men to their rightful dignity and
honour as individuals, they will be able to regard their fellows, of whatever
nation, of whatever race, of whatever religious, linguistic or historical
tradition, as equals, without jealousy, without fear, without undue pride.
The British people are united with Us in this field and We are confident
that they will continue to lend their unstinting efforts in the
accomplishment of the immense task which, together with other people of
good will, they have joined their efforts.
Your Majesty, during Your Reign, which commenced in an African
country only a little distance to the South, You have carried forward
gloriously the traditions of Your lineage and brought new honour to the
Throne which You occupy. Your Majesty personally enjoys today the
respect, the admiration and the affection of all peoples to whom Britain
serves as the symbol of indomitability in adversity, of courage when
confronted by danger, of dignity and resolve when threatened with defeat,
and of magnanmity and generosity in victory.
we shall never forget the warm and friendly reception accorded to Us by
the British people during Our state visit a decade ago. Similarly, We trust
that your stay with Us will be pleasant. We hope that you will carry away
with you deep and abiding memories of Our nation and its people.
We ask all here assembled now to join Us in a toast to the continued
friendship between the British and Ethiopian peoples, to the growth in
prosperity and well-being of the British nation, to the health, long life and
personal happiness of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of
Edinburgh.
| Chapter II - Part 3 |
| Personal Diplomacy |