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| Great Future |
| Haile Selassie the First - May 10, 1958 |
We have chosen to come here today for the ceremony of laying the
foundation stone for the construction of Our Port of Assab, not only in
order to inspect the beginning of what is to be a great technical
achievement, but also to commemorate a significant moment in the history
of Modern Ethiopia, combining as it does progress in modernity with
antiquity of tradition.
No Ethiopian of this or of future generations, can afford to forget the
disadvantages under which Our cuntry suffered in the days when we had
no access to the sea. It has, therefore, long been the desire of Ethiopia to
see her ports restored to the Motherland. In order to secure an outlet to
the sea on these shores, We entered in 1928 into an agreement with the
Government of Italy, but the agreement remained unhonoured, with no
default on Our part.
God has ordainded that this desire of Ethiopia be fulfilled during Our reign,
and has crowned with success Our efforts to secure the re-integration of
Eritrea and Ethiopia, which We undertook as soon as We, by the help of
the Almighty, had returned to Our homeland and had completed the work
of re-establishing and reorganizing Our Government under Our personal
guidance and direction. For this Our gratitude to God is unbounded.
The trials and hardships to which Ethiopia had been subject in the days
when she had no free outlet to the sea, qualify her in a special sense to
appreciate the great importance of having a seaport of her own.
In laying the foundation stone of the Port of Assab, this historic gateway
to the sea, connecting Our land with the oceans of the world, We are
today opening for all the peoples of Our Empire a door to prosperity and
good fortune of which they can be justly proud.
This port, connecting Ethiopia with the pulsating artery of world
commerce, joins her in ties of trade with the shores of her friends and
neighbours, and also brings her into free contact with the continents of the
world. We stand on the renowned Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, through
which pass, perhaps more ships than through any other stretch of water
on our globe. Ethiopia, here in Assab, stands sentinel to aid and assist the
vast number of vessels which carry the life-blood of world commerce.
She must therefore be fully conscious of her responsibility to work hard
for the developoment of her ports.
This uniquely strategic port of Ethiopia, after the trials and vicissitudes of
nearly a century when it languished unattended and cut off from its
motherland, has now been restored to her, and Ethiopia, in full realization
of her high responsibility, has undertaken the great task of transforming
Assab, into that outlet for Ethiopia's sea-born products, which, by virtue
of its unparalleled position on the trade routes of the world, it has so long
deserved, and indeed demanded.
At the very instant of the long awaited return of Assab and Massawa, now
five years ago, We declared:
In order to utilize to the maximum the resources of the two ports
of Massawa and Assab, We have given orders that an ambitious
programme of rehabilitation and improvement of the installations
at Massawa and Assab shoud be undertaken. Moreover -- and
this has taken place well ahead of the date of the Federation of
Eritrea with Ethiopia -- We have already commenced important
works for the repair and improvement of the roads linking these
ports with Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The first part of the ambitious programme has already been, under Our
own direction, largely accomplished. Although the challenge of the work
that is yet to be undertaken demands immense effort, We must not forget
that much has already been achieved here, all of which may not be
apparent to the casual visitor.
The more than 26 millions of Ethiopian Dollars which We are expending
for the high engineering and technical exploits involved in the development
programme of the Port of Assab, constitute already a direct and permanent
investment in the future of the Port for which We today lay the foundation
stone. This in itself is sufficient guarantee for the unhindered development
of the port to meet the rapid expansion of Ethiopia's economy which has
characterized Our reign.
The expenditure of large sums of money and thousands of hours of
engineering skill and re-examination by experts in engineering, in marine
construction, in finance, in commerce, and, finally, many weeks of careful
study and re-assessment by Ourselves of all the work that has been
under-taken at Our command, have taken place in order to make possible
this historic moment.
Following these careful studies, and after mature reflection on all aspects
made by Our ends, the great and noble people of Yugoslavia, most
advantageous to us in comparison with other similar proposals, both in
terms of engineering genius and of financial facilities, We have
accordingly, chosen to entrust this vastly significant task of constructing
the port of Assab, to the Yugoslav people.
We would not let this auspicious occasion pass without Our expressing to
His Excellency Marshal Josip Broz Tito, President of Yugoslavia, Our
thanks for the assistance he has rendered in bringing to fruition this
co-operation venture, which shall always remain a symbol of our mutual
friendship.
foundation stone for the construction of Our Port of Assab, not only in
order to inspect the beginning of what is to be a great technical
achievement, but also to commemorate a significant moment in the history
of Modern Ethiopia, combining as it does progress in modernity with
antiquity of tradition.
No Ethiopian of this or of future generations, can afford to forget the
disadvantages under which Our cuntry suffered in the days when we had
no access to the sea. It has, therefore, long been the desire of Ethiopia to
see her ports restored to the Motherland. In order to secure an outlet to
the sea on these shores, We entered in 1928 into an agreement with the
Government of Italy, but the agreement remained unhonoured, with no
default on Our part.
God has ordainded that this desire of Ethiopia be fulfilled during Our reign,
and has crowned with success Our efforts to secure the re-integration of
Eritrea and Ethiopia, which We undertook as soon as We, by the help of
the Almighty, had returned to Our homeland and had completed the work
of re-establishing and reorganizing Our Government under Our personal
guidance and direction. For this Our gratitude to God is unbounded.
The trials and hardships to which Ethiopia had been subject in the days
when she had no free outlet to the sea, qualify her in a special sense to
appreciate the great importance of having a seaport of her own.
In laying the foundation stone of the Port of Assab, this historic gateway
to the sea, connecting Our land with the oceans of the world, We are
today opening for all the peoples of Our Empire a door to prosperity and
good fortune of which they can be justly proud.
This port, connecting Ethiopia with the pulsating artery of world
commerce, joins her in ties of trade with the shores of her friends and
neighbours, and also brings her into free contact with the continents of the
world. We stand on the renowned Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, through
which pass, perhaps more ships than through any other stretch of water
on our globe. Ethiopia, here in Assab, stands sentinel to aid and assist the
vast number of vessels which carry the life-blood of world commerce.
She must therefore be fully conscious of her responsibility to work hard
for the developoment of her ports.
This uniquely strategic port of Ethiopia, after the trials and vicissitudes of
nearly a century when it languished unattended and cut off from its
motherland, has now been restored to her, and Ethiopia, in full realization
of her high responsibility, has undertaken the great task of transforming
Assab, into that outlet for Ethiopia's sea-born products, which, by virtue
of its unparalleled position on the trade routes of the world, it has so long
deserved, and indeed demanded.
At the very instant of the long awaited return of Assab and Massawa, now
five years ago, We declared:
In order to utilize to the maximum the resources of the two ports
of Massawa and Assab, We have given orders that an ambitious
programme of rehabilitation and improvement of the installations
at Massawa and Assab shoud be undertaken. Moreover -- and
this has taken place well ahead of the date of the Federation of
Eritrea with Ethiopia -- We have already commenced important
works for the repair and improvement of the roads linking these
ports with Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The first part of the ambitious programme has already been, under Our
own direction, largely accomplished. Although the challenge of the work
that is yet to be undertaken demands immense effort, We must not forget
that much has already been achieved here, all of which may not be
apparent to the casual visitor.
The more than 26 millions of Ethiopian Dollars which We are expending
for the high engineering and technical exploits involved in the development
programme of the Port of Assab, constitute already a direct and permanent
investment in the future of the Port for which We today lay the foundation
stone. This in itself is sufficient guarantee for the unhindered development
of the port to meet the rapid expansion of Ethiopia's economy which has
characterized Our reign.
The expenditure of large sums of money and thousands of hours of
engineering skill and re-examination by experts in engineering, in marine
construction, in finance, in commerce, and, finally, many weeks of careful
study and re-assessment by Ourselves of all the work that has been
under-taken at Our command, have taken place in order to make possible
this historic moment.
Following these careful studies, and after mature reflection on all aspects
made by Our ends, the great and noble people of Yugoslavia, most
advantageous to us in comparison with other similar proposals, both in
terms of engineering genius and of financial facilities, We have
accordingly, chosen to entrust this vastly significant task of constructing
the port of Assab, to the Yugoslav people.
We would not let this auspicious occasion pass without Our expressing to
His Excellency Marshal Josip Broz Tito, President of Yugoslavia, Our
thanks for the assistance he has rendered in bringing to fruition this
co-operation venture, which shall always remain a symbol of our mutual
friendship.
We are fully confident that the Port of Assab will respond fully to its high
destiny and that a great future awaits to bless this undertaking.
It is essential, as We stated five years ago, that Massawa also be fully
developed. The resources of Ethiopia, both present and potential, are
manifestly adequate to permit the three ports of Massawa, Assab and
Djibouti, to thrive together without rivalry, in a spirit of collaboration and
co-operation.
In thus providing the means for the continued growth of Ethiopia's foreign
trade, We have looked not only to the benefit of one particular region, but
also to the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia as a whole.
At the moment of the return to Ethiopia of Our loyal subjects along the
Red Sea coast, We declared: "We will provide, by all possible means, for
the welfare of the population of Eritrea."
This promise We have always maintained and fulfilled in various practical
ways.
Since God give us to enjoy only those fruits which we cultivate with toil
and sacrifice, We call upon all Our beloved subjects, in a spirit of national
dedication, by their labours and devotion, to ensure that this Port, now to
spring into existence, will prove worthy of its heritage and of its challenge.
destiny and that a great future awaits to bless this undertaking.
It is essential, as We stated five years ago, that Massawa also be fully
developed. The resources of Ethiopia, both present and potential, are
manifestly adequate to permit the three ports of Massawa, Assab and
Djibouti, to thrive together without rivalry, in a spirit of collaboration and
co-operation.
In thus providing the means for the continued growth of Ethiopia's foreign
trade, We have looked not only to the benefit of one particular region, but
also to the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia as a whole.
At the moment of the return to Ethiopia of Our loyal subjects along the
Red Sea coast, We declared: "We will provide, by all possible means, for
the welfare of the population of Eritrea."
This promise We have always maintained and fulfilled in various practical
ways.
Since God give us to enjoy only those fruits which we cultivate with toil
and sacrifice, We call upon all Our beloved subjects, in a spirit of national
dedication, by their labours and devotion, to ensure that this Port, now to
spring into existence, will prove worthy of its heritage and of its challenge.
| Chapter XII |
| Cornerstone Of The Assab Port May 10, 1958 |
| Transportation & Communication |