| 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 |
| Selected Speeches |
Alongside the progress made on the domestic front in the political,
economic, social welfare and administrative fields, Ethiopia's international
obligations and duties have grown and have become more complex than at
any other time in the history of the nation. As a member of the United
Nations Organization and its various Agencies, Ethiopia has been called
upon to participate in numerous conferences.
By playing host to the Summit Conference of African Heads of States and
Governments three years ago, and by helping bring about the
establishment of the Organization of African Unity, Ethiopia has, together
with her African brothers, assumed greater responsibilities not only in
Africa but in the world at large.
As the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity and the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the number of African and
international conferences held in Addis Ababa is growing. And so also
does our responsibility become greater.
As Ethiopia's socio-economic development has become increasingly
complex, the nation's administrative framework staffed by responsible
officials, has expanded to ensure a high degree of efficiency and
effectiveness in the conduct of public affairs. In addition to Our
Ministers, an increased number of Vice Ministers, Assistant Ministers and
Deputy Governors. Generals have been appointed to cope with the
ever-expanding volume of work which has been the consequence of the
progress of the nation.
In 1943, We promulgated an Order which defined the powers, duties and
responsibilities of Our Ministers. In doing so, We empowered them to
issue the rules and regulations requisite to the proper functioning of the
departments confined to their care. Now, nearly a quarter century later,
We have reached the stage where each Minister must assume full
responsibility for the discharge of his duties, including the measure of
responsibility to Parliament which was foreshadowed in Our Revised
Constitution of 1955. If Our aims and objectives are to be realized, each
one of us must labour and assume his share of responsibility for the
progress and prosperity of the nation. If We do so, We are satisfied that
acceptable results will follow. We are encouraged to see Our people each
day participating more actively in the affairs of the nation, for it is in this
way that the imperative acceleration of the nation's progress shall be
attained.
We have said that each Minister is fully responsible for his duties;
nonetheless, when major policy issues require Our attention, Our Prime
Minister or, if necessary, the Prime Minister and the Minister concerned,
shall bring them to Our attention. It is the duty of Our Prime Minister to
assure that the work of Government is performed; but this does not in any
way relieve the Ministers of their individual responsibilities. To place all
responsibility upon the shoulders of one individual while all others sit idly
by and seek only to criticize and find fault is, in our era, to act contrary to
the movement for the progress and advancement of the country.
If We ponder deeply on our situation today, We shall find that we lack for
little. The resources are available; the nation's youth are gaining
knowledge and acquiring experience; it is only necessary that We resolve
to work with determination and diligence. The socio-economic policy that
we ahve adopted, a policy founded deep in Ethiopia's national heritage and
tradition, is well-calculated to assure that progress of the present and
futuregeneration; all that We require is co-operation, mutual assistance and
the profound counsciousness that We are fulfilling Ourselves in the
discharge of Our planned and assigned responsibilities. This spirit,
whether We term it communal, socialistic or the philosophy of the welfare
state, is not new or alien to Ethiopia's way of life.
economic, social welfare and administrative fields, Ethiopia's international
obligations and duties have grown and have become more complex than at
any other time in the history of the nation. As a member of the United
Nations Organization and its various Agencies, Ethiopia has been called
upon to participate in numerous conferences.
By playing host to the Summit Conference of African Heads of States and
Governments three years ago, and by helping bring about the
establishment of the Organization of African Unity, Ethiopia has, together
with her African brothers, assumed greater responsibilities not only in
Africa but in the world at large.
As the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity and the United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the number of African and
international conferences held in Addis Ababa is growing. And so also
does our responsibility become greater.
As Ethiopia's socio-economic development has become increasingly
complex, the nation's administrative framework staffed by responsible
officials, has expanded to ensure a high degree of efficiency and
effectiveness in the conduct of public affairs. In addition to Our
Ministers, an increased number of Vice Ministers, Assistant Ministers and
Deputy Governors. Generals have been appointed to cope with the
ever-expanding volume of work which has been the consequence of the
progress of the nation.
In 1943, We promulgated an Order which defined the powers, duties and
responsibilities of Our Ministers. In doing so, We empowered them to
issue the rules and regulations requisite to the proper functioning of the
departments confined to their care. Now, nearly a quarter century later,
We have reached the stage where each Minister must assume full
responsibility for the discharge of his duties, including the measure of
responsibility to Parliament which was foreshadowed in Our Revised
Constitution of 1955. If Our aims and objectives are to be realized, each
one of us must labour and assume his share of responsibility for the
progress and prosperity of the nation. If We do so, We are satisfied that
acceptable results will follow. We are encouraged to see Our people each
day participating more actively in the affairs of the nation, for it is in this
way that the imperative acceleration of the nation's progress shall be
attained.
We have said that each Minister is fully responsible for his duties;
nonetheless, when major policy issues require Our attention, Our Prime
Minister or, if necessary, the Prime Minister and the Minister concerned,
shall bring them to Our attention. It is the duty of Our Prime Minister to
assure that the work of Government is performed; but this does not in any
way relieve the Ministers of their individual responsibilities. To place all
responsibility upon the shoulders of one individual while all others sit idly
by and seek only to criticize and find fault is, in our era, to act contrary to
the movement for the progress and advancement of the country.
If We ponder deeply on our situation today, We shall find that we lack for
little. The resources are available; the nation's youth are gaining
knowledge and acquiring experience; it is only necessary that We resolve
to work with determination and diligence. The socio-economic policy that
we ahve adopted, a policy founded deep in Ethiopia's national heritage and
tradition, is well-calculated to assure that progress of the present and
futuregeneration; all that We require is co-operation, mutual assistance and
the profound counsciousness that We are fulfilling Ourselves in the
discharge of Our planned and assigned responsibilities. This spirit,
whether We term it communal, socialistic or the philosophy of the welfare
state, is not new or alien to Ethiopia's way of life.
| Administrative Changes |
The problems consequent upon the growth and development of the nation
which have so significantly expanded Ethiopia's international
responsibilities and obligations have also multiplied apace. And if We are
to meet these mushrooming domestic and international obligations and
demands, We must design and implement methods which will, without
wasteful duplication of effort, recognize proper principles of
administration, maintain discipline, and respect and observe a strict
division of labour.
We were aware of all this. And during past decades, with exacting care
and deliberate forethought, We laid down the broad guide-lines for a
greater future development. And, now, after the most detailed review and
painstaking scrutiny of the advances achieved during this period, We have
determined to introduce further innovations into the structure of the
nations's administrative system, and We ahve set them forth in an Order
which We are promulgating today. The changes which We have ordered
will enable Us to devote Our hours to assuring the execution of the highly
important and urgent programmes designed to accelerate national growth
and development and to meet international obligations and commitments
into which Ethiopia continues to enter.
This Order, which amends Order No. 1 of 1943 defining the duties and
responsibilities of the Prime Minister and all other Ministers, provides in
substance as follows:
(1) That the Prime Minister shall be appointed by Us, and that he shall
submit to Us for appointment by Us the proposed members of his cabinet
to head the ministries of the Government;
(2) That the Ministers shall be responsible to the Prime Minister;
(3) That the Prime Minister and the Minister shall be collectively
responsible to Us and to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of
the Revised Constitution of 1955.
This fundamental reform fo the structure of the national administration is
founded upon the authority of Article 27 of the Revised Constitution,
which empowers Us to determine, revise and modify the administrative
structure of the Government. It is designed to increase Governmental
efficiency and enable Us to devote Ourselves exclusively to matters of
high policy.
Each nation elaborates its programmes according to its custom and
cultural and cultural heritage, suiting them to its own development aims,
changing and improving its institutions of Government as experience and
the requirements of the times dictate. A particular structure of
government may be apt and practical for one nation; it may not be so for
another. Each nation must determine, shape and adapt its governmental
patttern to conform to its customs and its cultural heritage.
We have provided for this improved and reformed system of Government
according to the ideals of modern Ethiopianism, building upon the
accumulated experience of the years, preserving those elements of the past
which have proven useful, modifying and improving those parts which call
for change. We envisage that future changes and improvements may be
introduced in the future as the need arises. When change is required,
paramount in Our thoughts and those of Our officials will be interests of
the Ethiopian people.
which have so significantly expanded Ethiopia's international
responsibilities and obligations have also multiplied apace. And if We are
to meet these mushrooming domestic and international obligations and
demands, We must design and implement methods which will, without
wasteful duplication of effort, recognize proper principles of
administration, maintain discipline, and respect and observe a strict
division of labour.
We were aware of all this. And during past decades, with exacting care
and deliberate forethought, We laid down the broad guide-lines for a
greater future development. And, now, after the most detailed review and
painstaking scrutiny of the advances achieved during this period, We have
determined to introduce further innovations into the structure of the
nations's administrative system, and We ahve set them forth in an Order
which We are promulgating today. The changes which We have ordered
will enable Us to devote Our hours to assuring the execution of the highly
important and urgent programmes designed to accelerate national growth
and development and to meet international obligations and commitments
into which Ethiopia continues to enter.
This Order, which amends Order No. 1 of 1943 defining the duties and
responsibilities of the Prime Minister and all other Ministers, provides in
substance as follows:
(1) That the Prime Minister shall be appointed by Us, and that he shall
submit to Us for appointment by Us the proposed members of his cabinet
to head the ministries of the Government;
(2) That the Ministers shall be responsible to the Prime Minister;
(3) That the Prime Minister and the Minister shall be collectively
responsible to Us and to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of
the Revised Constitution of 1955.
This fundamental reform fo the structure of the national administration is
founded upon the authority of Article 27 of the Revised Constitution,
which empowers Us to determine, revise and modify the administrative
structure of the Government. It is designed to increase Governmental
efficiency and enable Us to devote Ourselves exclusively to matters of
high policy.
Each nation elaborates its programmes according to its custom and
cultural and cultural heritage, suiting them to its own development aims,
changing and improving its institutions of Government as experience and
the requirements of the times dictate. A particular structure of
government may be apt and practical for one nation; it may not be so for
another. Each nation must determine, shape and adapt its governmental
patttern to conform to its customs and its cultural heritage.
We have provided for this improved and reformed system of Government
according to the ideals of modern Ethiopianism, building upon the
accumulated experience of the years, preserving those elements of the past
which have proven useful, modifying and improving those parts which call
for change. We envisage that future changes and improvements may be
introduced in the future as the need arises. When change is required,
paramount in Our thoughts and those of Our officials will be interests of
the Ethiopian people.
| Haile Selassie the First - March 22, 1966 |
| Constitutional Reform Mar. 22, 1966 |
Thanks to the Grace of God, during the years that We have been entrusted
with the leadership of Our people, Our efforts, expended to assure
progress in the areas of administration, economi, social and political
growth, in education and social services, have yielded rewarding fruits.
Our people have long enjoyed the tradition and experience of
independence. Nonetheless, in recognition of the conditions which then
existed, aware of the long-term benefits to be realized, We granted to Our
people the nation's first written Constitution in 1931. The difficultites
which We encountered in accomplishing this radical departure from
custom, the trials to eliminate surviving feudal traditions in achieving this
notable step along the path of progress, were heavy indeed, even
wearisome. Even surviving eye-witnesses could have but a vague
recollection of those difficult times. How much less can those far
removed from the period be expected to appreciate the troubles to which
We were put in those days.
When We re-established the Ministries of the Government in 1943, We
issued an Order defining the duties and responsibilities of the Prime
Minister and other Ministers so that all Government officials would
understand their obligations and discharge their duties properly. The
Order established the legal basis on which the various Government
departments would function and gave clear directives to Government
officials. On the whole, the system then laid down has worked reasonably
well to the present.
Because of the progress made in the country generally and the high
standard of living achieved by the people thereby, We granted the Revised
Constitution in 1955 in order to consolidate gains already won and to
guarantee continued and accelerated progress... Under the Revised
Constitution, Our people have been guaranteed the full exercise of their
rights. They have, for the first time, directly elected their representatives
to Parliament, without whose discussion and approval no taxes can be
levied, no duties imposed on the people and no laws enacted. In turn, and
also in accordance with the Revised Constitution, Parliament can call upon
the Prime Minister and other Ministers to give explanations concerning the
conduct of the Executive Department.
with the leadership of Our people, Our efforts, expended to assure
progress in the areas of administration, economi, social and political
growth, in education and social services, have yielded rewarding fruits.
Our people have long enjoyed the tradition and experience of
independence. Nonetheless, in recognition of the conditions which then
existed, aware of the long-term benefits to be realized, We granted to Our
people the nation's first written Constitution in 1931. The difficultites
which We encountered in accomplishing this radical departure from
custom, the trials to eliminate surviving feudal traditions in achieving this
notable step along the path of progress, were heavy indeed, even
wearisome. Even surviving eye-witnesses could have but a vague
recollection of those difficult times. How much less can those far
removed from the period be expected to appreciate the troubles to which
We were put in those days.
When We re-established the Ministries of the Government in 1943, We
issued an Order defining the duties and responsibilities of the Prime
Minister and other Ministers so that all Government officials would
understand their obligations and discharge their duties properly. The
Order established the legal basis on which the various Government
departments would function and gave clear directives to Government
officials. On the whole, the system then laid down has worked reasonably
well to the present.
Because of the progress made in the country generally and the high
standard of living achieved by the people thereby, We granted the Revised
Constitution in 1955 in order to consolidate gains already won and to
guarantee continued and accelerated progress... Under the Revised
Constitution, Our people have been guaranteed the full exercise of their
rights. They have, for the first time, directly elected their representatives
to Parliament, without whose discussion and approval no taxes can be
levied, no duties imposed on the people and no laws enacted. In turn, and
also in accordance with the Revised Constitution, Parliament can call upon
the Prime Minister and other Ministers to give explanations concerning the
conduct of the Executive Department.
| People's Participation |
Thus, through the members of the Chamber of Deputies, the people have
participated directly in the affairs of the Government, thereby enabling the
nation to advance rapidly in many areas of national endeavour.
The efforts made to expand educational opportunities in the country and to
protect the national unity of Our people have met with success. Our
people have benefited form the rights and privileges embodied in the
Constitution. In spite of past and continuing attempts of certain alien
enemies to create differences based on tribalism and religion, the Ethiopian
people have waged a successful struggle against these forces of evil and
thus preserved their national unity.
Since We assumed leadership, Our most cherished wish and desire, for
which We have laboured unceasingly, with firm determination, attaching
to it the highest importance, has been that Our people should attain this
goal. We derive great satisfaction today not only in witnessing the
realization as a working concern of the system instituted by Us, but in
expressing Our belief and hope that Our people shall continue undeterred
to guide their destiny.
Justice is the foundation of the modern, well-ordered state. Accordingly,
the promulgation of the Civil, the Commercial, the Penal, Maritime and
Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes, in the train of the granting of the
Revised Constitution, must be regarded as of the highest importance.
These laws directly affect the day-to-day public and private life of every
Ethiopian. They guarantee the enjoyment of the rights granted to the
nation under the Revised Constitution. They have benefited Our people in
their daily activities. They have created a sense of faith in the system of
government based upon the rule of law.
Within recent years, significant laws and measures pertaining to social
welfare have been enacted and put into practice. These include a pensions
scheme for government employees; civil service legislation to insure that
civil servants are chosen impartially, and that they are properly render their
services to the Government and to the people; laws regulating relations
between employers and employees which, by guaranteeing their respective
rights, ensure that both groups can work together, in the interests of the
general welfare of making the nation and cooperate in the attainment of
greater national development and self-sufficiency.
We have ordered that highly important reforms be undertaken: in the
system of land tenure and land taxation; inthe administration of justice and
the nomination and appointment of judges; in the expansion and growth of
education; in the system of provincial administration; in the promotion of
efficiency in Government departments. Other important reforms are being
studied and will be put into effect, as their details are worked out.
Ethiopia's socia-economic progress has been substantial. The First
Five-Year Plan has been launched and implemented for the purpose of
achieving a rational and a larger scale development. Planning ensures a
simultaneous accomplishment of developmental projects with a view to
achieving accelerated progress, thus avoiding wastage of financial
resources, labour and time. Benefiting from encouraging results of the
first Five-Year Plan, and the experience gained in its implementation, the
Second Five-Year Development Plan, drawn up on a much wider and
enlarged scale, is now being implemented.
participated directly in the affairs of the Government, thereby enabling the
nation to advance rapidly in many areas of national endeavour.
The efforts made to expand educational opportunities in the country and to
protect the national unity of Our people have met with success. Our
people have benefited form the rights and privileges embodied in the
Constitution. In spite of past and continuing attempts of certain alien
enemies to create differences based on tribalism and religion, the Ethiopian
people have waged a successful struggle against these forces of evil and
thus preserved their national unity.
Since We assumed leadership, Our most cherished wish and desire, for
which We have laboured unceasingly, with firm determination, attaching
to it the highest importance, has been that Our people should attain this
goal. We derive great satisfaction today not only in witnessing the
realization as a working concern of the system instituted by Us, but in
expressing Our belief and hope that Our people shall continue undeterred
to guide their destiny.
Justice is the foundation of the modern, well-ordered state. Accordingly,
the promulgation of the Civil, the Commercial, the Penal, Maritime and
Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes, in the train of the granting of the
Revised Constitution, must be regarded as of the highest importance.
These laws directly affect the day-to-day public and private life of every
Ethiopian. They guarantee the enjoyment of the rights granted to the
nation under the Revised Constitution. They have benefited Our people in
their daily activities. They have created a sense of faith in the system of
government based upon the rule of law.
Within recent years, significant laws and measures pertaining to social
welfare have been enacted and put into practice. These include a pensions
scheme for government employees; civil service legislation to insure that
civil servants are chosen impartially, and that they are properly render their
services to the Government and to the people; laws regulating relations
between employers and employees which, by guaranteeing their respective
rights, ensure that both groups can work together, in the interests of the
general welfare of making the nation and cooperate in the attainment of
greater national development and self-sufficiency.
We have ordered that highly important reforms be undertaken: in the
system of land tenure and land taxation; inthe administration of justice and
the nomination and appointment of judges; in the expansion and growth of
education; in the system of provincial administration; in the promotion of
efficiency in Government departments. Other important reforms are being
studied and will be put into effect, as their details are worked out.
Ethiopia's socia-economic progress has been substantial. The First
Five-Year Plan has been launched and implemented for the purpose of
achieving a rational and a larger scale development. Planning ensures a
simultaneous accomplishment of developmental projects with a view to
achieving accelerated progress, thus avoiding wastage of financial
resources, labour and time. Benefiting from encouraging results of the
first Five-Year Plan, and the experience gained in its implementation, the
Second Five-Year Development Plan, drawn up on a much wider and
enlarged scale, is now being implemented.
| International |
| Chapter VI |
| Legal & Constitutional |