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| Selected Speeches |
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| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Chapter II - Part 3 |
| Addresses House Of Parliament In Jamaica Apr. 21, 1966 |
| Personal Diplomacy |
| Selected Speeches |
Distinguished members of the Jamaican Parliament, I am glad today to get
this opportunity of conveying some thoughts to the Jamaican Parliament
and people.
The people of Jamaica have a long glorious history. The Jamaican people
have struggled to attain their independence and since independence the
Jamaican people in an exemplary national unity have gone on to bring
further abundance and progress to themselves. Because I know of the
history of these wonderful people and because I know of the sentiments
the people of Jamaica entertain for the Ethiopian people, I have always
wished to come and visit Jamaica. Now, thank God, this wish of mine
has been fulfilled.
this opportunity of conveying some thoughts to the Jamaican Parliament
and people.
The people of Jamaica have a long glorious history. The Jamaican people
have struggled to attain their independence and since independence the
Jamaican people in an exemplary national unity have gone on to bring
further abundance and progress to themselves. Because I know of the
history of these wonderful people and because I know of the sentiments
the people of Jamaica entertain for the Ethiopian people, I have always
wished to come and visit Jamaica. Now, thank God, this wish of mine
has been fulfilled.
| Has Seen Progress |
Upon arrival in Jamaica I have seen more than I have expected. I have
seen the progress of the people and I have seen their determination to
march forward in unity towards greater progress. I have also witnessed
personally the extent of the feeling of the Jamaican people for the
Ethiopian people.
Again I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the
Government and people of Jamaica for the wonderful reception that was
accorded me.
Our relations with the Jamaican people, as I have said already, is not of
present origin. At a time when the Ethiopian people bore aggression --
harsh aggression -- the people of Jamaica showed their concern and
sympathy to the Ethiopian people and have in this way provided Us with
encouragement regarding which the Ethiopian people shall be forever
grateful.
Since I arrived in Jamaica, I was able to witness myself that these feelings
of sympathy that had existed then have continued, and even now there is a
greater desire to establish a closer relation with the people of Ethiopia.
The relations, in a broader sense, between the people of Jamaica and the
people of Ethiopia and Africa are deep and abiding. We have all struggled
for independence and have achieved it now. Because We are people
dedicated to the achievement of Our independence, We have attained an
objective that is the basis for continued mutual co-operation and goodwill.
In addition to this there is a bond of gratitude, a bond of brotherhood. The
people of Jamaica, by and large, have originated in Africa. This again
gives Us another basis upon which We can contract a healthy relation, a
relation that is not only going to be useful to Our respective peoples but a
relation, because of the fundamental similarity between Us, that will in the
long run contribute to a better maintenance of international peace and
security.
In addition to this both the people of Jamaica and the people of Ethiopia
are dedicated to another cause, that is the cause of progress and
prosperity. Here again the struggle we have to undergo, the difficulties we
must all overcome, and the programmes we must adopt have much
similarity. Thus I say the people of Jamaica and Ethiopia have much in
common and these common factors can be used as the basis for even
stronger relations between Our two peoples.
The people of African origin have immigrated to many parts of the world.
Some of them have come to Jamaica; others to other parts of the world.
But wherever they may be they have similar historical experiences and the
problems that await them depend on sympathy, and this can be used by all
of Us as the basis for the establishment of greater co-operation which will
be for our mutual benefit.
In addition to this I also believe that the peoples of Jamaica and Ethiopia
have another important cause in common, that is the cause of international
peace. For much more than means of warfare, the violation of peace
somewhere, must be discouraged to prevent the utter devastation of the
human race. We have as an important concern that there should not be a
violation of international peace and security.
seen the progress of the people and I have seen their determination to
march forward in unity towards greater progress. I have also witnessed
personally the extent of the feeling of the Jamaican people for the
Ethiopian people.
Again I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks to the
Government and people of Jamaica for the wonderful reception that was
accorded me.
Our relations with the Jamaican people, as I have said already, is not of
present origin. At a time when the Ethiopian people bore aggression --
harsh aggression -- the people of Jamaica showed their concern and
sympathy to the Ethiopian people and have in this way provided Us with
encouragement regarding which the Ethiopian people shall be forever
grateful.
Since I arrived in Jamaica, I was able to witness myself that these feelings
of sympathy that had existed then have continued, and even now there is a
greater desire to establish a closer relation with the people of Ethiopia.
The relations, in a broader sense, between the people of Jamaica and the
people of Ethiopia and Africa are deep and abiding. We have all struggled
for independence and have achieved it now. Because We are people
dedicated to the achievement of Our independence, We have attained an
objective that is the basis for continued mutual co-operation and goodwill.
In addition to this there is a bond of gratitude, a bond of brotherhood. The
people of Jamaica, by and large, have originated in Africa. This again
gives Us another basis upon which We can contract a healthy relation, a
relation that is not only going to be useful to Our respective peoples but a
relation, because of the fundamental similarity between Us, that will in the
long run contribute to a better maintenance of international peace and
security.
In addition to this both the people of Jamaica and the people of Ethiopia
are dedicated to another cause, that is the cause of progress and
prosperity. Here again the struggle we have to undergo, the difficulties we
must all overcome, and the programmes we must adopt have much
similarity. Thus I say the people of Jamaica and Ethiopia have much in
common and these common factors can be used as the basis for even
stronger relations between Our two peoples.
The people of African origin have immigrated to many parts of the world.
Some of them have come to Jamaica; others to other parts of the world.
But wherever they may be they have similar historical experiences and the
problems that await them depend on sympathy, and this can be used by all
of Us as the basis for the establishment of greater co-operation which will
be for our mutual benefit.
In addition to this I also believe that the peoples of Jamaica and Ethiopia
have another important cause in common, that is the cause of international
peace. For much more than means of warfare, the violation of peace
somewhere, must be discouraged to prevent the utter devastation of the
human race. We have as an important concern that there should not be a
violation of international peace and security.
| Haile Selassie the First - April 21, 1966 |
| Supreme Interest |
However, if small countries do not combine all their energies, if small
countries do not put all their weight in one direction towards the
maintenance of international peace, then their individual voices in today's
world would not matter much. This precisely why the smaller states, like
Jamaica and Ethiopia, have the supreme interest that international peace
and security be preserved. And to this end We have to continue to
collaborate so that Our voice on the international scene would be
augmented.
In addition to this it is quite true that a country can achieve material
progress alone. However, We know from the experiences of the past that
international co-operation tends to quicken the pace for progress of
individual countries. This is again another area for Us to think about and
see in what way We can further expand the relations between the peoples
of Jamaica and Ethiopia.
From another fundamental point of view this is why the Organization of
African Unity has been established. It is because the African continent,
which comprises more than 250 million people, were it to remain divided
among more than 30 states, their individual voices would not carry weight.
It is precisely why, since there is an identity of interest, We have
attempted to include Jamaica also, so that We can carry this weight in the
councils of nations, and also through the process of co-operation and
expanded economic relations We might be in a position to quicken the
pace of development of the individual member countries of the
Organization of African Unity.
Because the African people are dedicated to the cause of the maintenance
of peace, because the African people are determined that there should be
that material progress for their people, and because the African people
believe in the essential precepts of democracy, these are the foundations of
the Organization of African Unity. An organization that is based on such a
solid foundation can only bring success to all its endeavours which will be
for the interest and benefit of the African people, and perhaps also the
interest of other peoples.
From the same point of view I say that similarity of fundamental national
interest between Our two peoples, that is Our good friendship that has
always existed, must be allowed to deepen, must expand the areas of
material and full co-operation in all ways possible.
countries do not put all their weight in one direction towards the
maintenance of international peace, then their individual voices in today's
world would not matter much. This precisely why the smaller states, like
Jamaica and Ethiopia, have the supreme interest that international peace
and security be preserved. And to this end We have to continue to
collaborate so that Our voice on the international scene would be
augmented.
In addition to this it is quite true that a country can achieve material
progress alone. However, We know from the experiences of the past that
international co-operation tends to quicken the pace for progress of
individual countries. This is again another area for Us to think about and
see in what way We can further expand the relations between the peoples
of Jamaica and Ethiopia.
From another fundamental point of view this is why the Organization of
African Unity has been established. It is because the African continent,
which comprises more than 250 million people, were it to remain divided
among more than 30 states, their individual voices would not carry weight.
It is precisely why, since there is an identity of interest, We have
attempted to include Jamaica also, so that We can carry this weight in the
councils of nations, and also through the process of co-operation and
expanded economic relations We might be in a position to quicken the
pace of development of the individual member countries of the
Organization of African Unity.
Because the African people are dedicated to the cause of the maintenance
of peace, because the African people are determined that there should be
that material progress for their people, and because the African people
believe in the essential precepts of democracy, these are the foundations of
the Organization of African Unity. An organization that is based on such a
solid foundation can only bring success to all its endeavours which will be
for the interest and benefit of the African people, and perhaps also the
interest of other peoples.
From the same point of view I say that similarity of fundamental national
interest between Our two peoples, that is Our good friendship that has
always existed, must be allowed to deepen, must expand the areas of
material and full co-operation in all ways possible.
| Combination |
We must remember that many states that today represent the major
powers of the world were once weak, were once prey to other major
forces. But, however, through the preocess of assimilation, through the
process of the realization of fundamental national interests, and through
the process of combination that they have achieved, they have become the
major powers, the powers that are all-embracing. From the same point of
view the people of Africa in Jamaica who have identical interests should be
able to augment their energies for good by the process of the
establishment of greater collaboration.
I would broadly say wherever there is African blood there is a basis for
greater unity. We must also help each other in Our endeavours to expand
education, to raise the standard of living of Our respective peoples. To
this end We wish to signify the appreciation of the sentiments held by the
Jamaican people for the Ethiopian people and as a manifestation of Our
sincere friendship, within our very limited means, We have made an
agreement with the Jamaican Government to establish a school for
Jamaicans here. I am confident that all the preliminary procedures will be
concluded so that the construction of the school will commence within the
near future.
Lastly, may God give wisdom and His blessings to the people of Jamaica.
Thank you.
powers of the world were once weak, were once prey to other major
forces. But, however, through the preocess of assimilation, through the
process of the realization of fundamental national interests, and through
the process of combination that they have achieved, they have become the
major powers, the powers that are all-embracing. From the same point of
view the people of Africa in Jamaica who have identical interests should be
able to augment their energies for good by the process of the
establishment of greater collaboration.
I would broadly say wherever there is African blood there is a basis for
greater unity. We must also help each other in Our endeavours to expand
education, to raise the standard of living of Our respective peoples. To
this end We wish to signify the appreciation of the sentiments held by the
Jamaican people for the Ethiopian people and as a manifestation of Our
sincere friendship, within our very limited means, We have made an
agreement with the Jamaican Government to establish a school for
Jamaicans here. I am confident that all the preliminary procedures will be
concluded so that the construction of the school will commence within the
near future.
Lastly, may God give wisdom and His blessings to the people of Jamaica.
Thank you.