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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter II - Part 3 |
| Personal Diplomacy |
| Banquet In Honour Of President Novotny Nov. 15, 1966 |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - November 15, 1966 |
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President Antonin Novotny and Madame Bozena Novotna
It is Our great pleasure to greet this evening the leader of a great and
friendly nation, a country with which Ethiopia has long enjoyed close ties
and with which a special sympathy and understanding exist. We take this
opportunity to welcome Your Excellency and your wife to Ethiopia.
Seven years ago in response to Your Excellency's invitation, We had the
pleasure of visiting your beautiful country and the friendly people of
Czechoslovakia. We vividly recall the warm and cordial welcome
accorded to Us by the people of Czechoslovakia and members of your
government. During Our visit We were able to witness the great
achievements accomplished by your people in the field of science and
technology. The bonds of friendship that so happily exist between
Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia are of longstanding. During this period our
two countries have co-operated in many fields both in times of war and
peace.
Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia have much in common. Both our countries
had a similar experience in the resistance against cruel and merciless
aggressor whose motive was to put our peoples under its colonial
domination. During the dark hours Czechoslovakia was among the very
few countries that courageously raised its voice in denouncing the invasion
of Our country by the fascist aggressor. In doing so, Czechoslovakia
gave Us support not only in upholding our rightful cause at the League of
Nations but has also supported Us with the much needed arms and
ammunitions for the defence of Our beloved country against the invader.
In the early part of the post-war period, when We commenced to
reorganize Our Armed Forces, it was from Czechoslovakia that We were
able to purchase modern weapons to equip Our army. In view of this, can
one expect greater friendship? All these manifest the prevalence of a long
and profound friendship between our two countries.
It is Our great pleasure to greet this evening the leader of a great and
friendly nation, a country with which Ethiopia has long enjoyed close ties
and with which a special sympathy and understanding exist. We take this
opportunity to welcome Your Excellency and your wife to Ethiopia.
Seven years ago in response to Your Excellency's invitation, We had the
pleasure of visiting your beautiful country and the friendly people of
Czechoslovakia. We vividly recall the warm and cordial welcome
accorded to Us by the people of Czechoslovakia and members of your
government. During Our visit We were able to witness the great
achievements accomplished by your people in the field of science and
technology. The bonds of friendship that so happily exist between
Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia are of longstanding. During this period our
two countries have co-operated in many fields both in times of war and
peace.
Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia have much in common. Both our countries
had a similar experience in the resistance against cruel and merciless
aggressor whose motive was to put our peoples under its colonial
domination. During the dark hours Czechoslovakia was among the very
few countries that courageously raised its voice in denouncing the invasion
of Our country by the fascist aggressor. In doing so, Czechoslovakia
gave Us support not only in upholding our rightful cause at the League of
Nations but has also supported Us with the much needed arms and
ammunitions for the defence of Our beloved country against the invader.
In the early part of the post-war period, when We commenced to
reorganize Our Armed Forces, it was from Czechoslovakia that We were
able to purchase modern weapons to equip Our army. In view of this, can
one expect greater friendship? All these manifest the prevalence of a long
and profound friendship between our two countries.
| Old True Friend |
At present Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia are co-operating in many fields.
The Government of Czechoslovakia is actively participating in the
implementation of Our Five-year Plan by providing Us with assistance. As
a result of such co-operation the age-old relations that exist between our
two countries have been strengthened. On this occasion We would like
once again to reaffirm to Your Excellency that Ethiopia considers
Czechoslovakia an old and a true friend. We wish to say here that in Our
endeavours We strive not only for the progress and happiness of our
countries and people but to humanity at large for the cause of world peace.
In Our age man has replaced his individualistic attitude by a larger cause,
namely the good of society. This is encouraging. The method employed
to achieve the social and economic objectives that each country sets for
itself may differ. The cultural and historical background of each country
accounts for this difference. A few years back, due to this economic and
social difference the relations between countries had deteriorated to such
an extent that men were fearful of a third world war. Today this fear has
diminished and the people of the world are hopeful for a better and a more
secure tomorrow. It is our duty to work for the realization of this noble
objective.
In Our view differences in economic and social systems should not give
rise to mistrust and misunderstanding among nations. On the contrary,
We should accept diversity in culture and tradition and coexist peacefully.
Though Your Excellency's visit to Ethiopia is short, We are convinced that
it will contribute to the promotion of this objective as well as further the
long-standing friendship which exists between our two countries.
We are hopeful that Your Excellency's stay in Our country will be a
pleasant one. Let us, therfore, raise our glasses for His Excellency's long
life and happinesss, that of Madame Novotna and for the continued
progress and prosperity of our two peoples.
The Government of Czechoslovakia is actively participating in the
implementation of Our Five-year Plan by providing Us with assistance. As
a result of such co-operation the age-old relations that exist between our
two countries have been strengthened. On this occasion We would like
once again to reaffirm to Your Excellency that Ethiopia considers
Czechoslovakia an old and a true friend. We wish to say here that in Our
endeavours We strive not only for the progress and happiness of our
countries and people but to humanity at large for the cause of world peace.
In Our age man has replaced his individualistic attitude by a larger cause,
namely the good of society. This is encouraging. The method employed
to achieve the social and economic objectives that each country sets for
itself may differ. The cultural and historical background of each country
accounts for this difference. A few years back, due to this economic and
social difference the relations between countries had deteriorated to such
an extent that men were fearful of a third world war. Today this fear has
diminished and the people of the world are hopeful for a better and a more
secure tomorrow. It is our duty to work for the realization of this noble
objective.
In Our view differences in economic and social systems should not give
rise to mistrust and misunderstanding among nations. On the contrary,
We should accept diversity in culture and tradition and coexist peacefully.
Though Your Excellency's visit to Ethiopia is short, We are convinced that
it will contribute to the promotion of this objective as well as further the
long-standing friendship which exists between our two countries.
We are hopeful that Your Excellency's stay in Our country will be a
pleasant one. Let us, therfore, raise our glasses for His Excellency's long
life and happinesss, that of Madame Novotna and for the continued
progress and prosperity of our two peoples.
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |