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| Selected Speeches |
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| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - May 8, 1966 |
Religion has long taught to have no grudges against others. We have no
grudges against others. We have no grudges against past enemies. And
yet, we cannot forget the injustices perpetuated against the Ethiopian
people. In the celebration of the last couple of days -- marking the 25th
anniversary of Ethiopia's liberation -- we have observed with satisfaction
the display by Our Armed Forces. And We praise the Lord Almighty for
the presence amonst us of the patriots and exiles who survived the
enemy's ruthless man-hunt and victimization.
As it has been correctly stated earlier, Ethiopia fell an easy victim to
external aggression because she lacked air power. Today We have
witness that Ethiopia has an air power to reckon with. What took place
today and what the Air Force is heading to accomplish, indeed furnishes a
confidence in the future of the Ethiopian people.
Nevertheless the establishment of an air force is not sufficient in itself.
We have assigned men to various positions of responsibility in the
Ethiopian Air Force and it is up to these men to apply themselves diligently
to the task of self-improvement. The rank and file and the Officers of the
Ethiopian Air force must work with the dedication their fathers and
forefathers had shown in the past -- the past in which all Ethiopians can
take pride.
Through diligence, wisdom and labour, our forefathers have preserved the
sovereignty of Our nation and the integrity of our country. The present as
well as the future generation bears responsibility to follow the examples set
in the past and to dedicate themselves for stability, progress and
betterment of the Ethiopia of tomorrow. No arms, however big or
however mighty, can provide solace to a nation. A nation finds comfort
and the freedom of that nation is best protected through the sacrifice and
patriotism of its people. We must put to the best use the rich heritage of
our past for in that way, and in that way alone can We live to the highest
standard set by our forefathers for the Ethiopian people.
Today, as We come to the close of the three-day celebrations, We thank
God for all He has done for the Ethiopian people. We have witnessed the
emergence of Ethiopia's air power, the growth of her Navy, the strength
of her land forces and above all, the will of her people to overcome all
difficulties. We praise God for the progress We have already made and
for the progress that is bound to be Our tomorrow. The all-round
development of Ethiopia and particularly the development of her Armed
forces and her economic resources unmistakably show the greatest of the
Ethiopian people in going beyond and above individual gains and labour to
the common good of all. We are the more happy to witness the progress
and development that is taking place for through it the rights of all the
people of Ethiopia are better protected and their future happiness is better
assured. Join Us today in praying to God to give Us further strength to
proceed along this useful course.
Some jested that Ethiopia fell victim to Fascist aggression in the short
period of seven to eight months. But history has mocked the jesters by
showing that those who laughed in mockery lost their battle for freedom in
a matter of days only. The vital resources of a nation are, as we have
already said, the people's selfless dedication and vigilance to overcome
difficulties -- it is not the heavy armoury but the quality of the citizens that
man is that matters. The Ethiopian people are now more assured than ever
before of a brighter future. What gives form and substance to this
assurance is the ever-existing vigilance of our people, the strength of Our
Armed Forces, the progress achieved in the various fields of national
endeavour and above all the unity of our people. This is not only a source
of satisfaction but a source of honour too. This furnishes the living with
hope for a better future. And the dead shall rest in peace for their sacrifice
in defence of their country has been honoured.
Those that have fallen in the battle-field have sacrificed themselves so that
Our future would be more secure. And we the living have the
responsibility of living up to the sacrifice that they have made, and to this
all Ethiopians must dedicate themselves. In all your undertakings through
your career, base yourselves on greater knowledge, courage and
determination. For, if you base yourselves upon these values, you shall
not fail but you shall forever go from one victory to another. I thank all
the hard-working members of the Air Force. May God bless you.
grudges against others. We have no grudges against past enemies. And
yet, we cannot forget the injustices perpetuated against the Ethiopian
people. In the celebration of the last couple of days -- marking the 25th
anniversary of Ethiopia's liberation -- we have observed with satisfaction
the display by Our Armed Forces. And We praise the Lord Almighty for
the presence amonst us of the patriots and exiles who survived the
enemy's ruthless man-hunt and victimization.
As it has been correctly stated earlier, Ethiopia fell an easy victim to
external aggression because she lacked air power. Today We have
witness that Ethiopia has an air power to reckon with. What took place
today and what the Air Force is heading to accomplish, indeed furnishes a
confidence in the future of the Ethiopian people.
Nevertheless the establishment of an air force is not sufficient in itself.
We have assigned men to various positions of responsibility in the
Ethiopian Air Force and it is up to these men to apply themselves diligently
to the task of self-improvement. The rank and file and the Officers of the
Ethiopian Air force must work with the dedication their fathers and
forefathers had shown in the past -- the past in which all Ethiopians can
take pride.
Through diligence, wisdom and labour, our forefathers have preserved the
sovereignty of Our nation and the integrity of our country. The present as
well as the future generation bears responsibility to follow the examples set
in the past and to dedicate themselves for stability, progress and
betterment of the Ethiopia of tomorrow. No arms, however big or
however mighty, can provide solace to a nation. A nation finds comfort
and the freedom of that nation is best protected through the sacrifice and
patriotism of its people. We must put to the best use the rich heritage of
our past for in that way, and in that way alone can We live to the highest
standard set by our forefathers for the Ethiopian people.
Today, as We come to the close of the three-day celebrations, We thank
God for all He has done for the Ethiopian people. We have witnessed the
emergence of Ethiopia's air power, the growth of her Navy, the strength
of her land forces and above all, the will of her people to overcome all
difficulties. We praise God for the progress We have already made and
for the progress that is bound to be Our tomorrow. The all-round
development of Ethiopia and particularly the development of her Armed
forces and her economic resources unmistakably show the greatest of the
Ethiopian people in going beyond and above individual gains and labour to
the common good of all. We are the more happy to witness the progress
and development that is taking place for through it the rights of all the
people of Ethiopia are better protected and their future happiness is better
assured. Join Us today in praying to God to give Us further strength to
proceed along this useful course.
Some jested that Ethiopia fell victim to Fascist aggression in the short
period of seven to eight months. But history has mocked the jesters by
showing that those who laughed in mockery lost their battle for freedom in
a matter of days only. The vital resources of a nation are, as we have
already said, the people's selfless dedication and vigilance to overcome
difficulties -- it is not the heavy armoury but the quality of the citizens that
man is that matters. The Ethiopian people are now more assured than ever
before of a brighter future. What gives form and substance to this
assurance is the ever-existing vigilance of our people, the strength of Our
Armed Forces, the progress achieved in the various fields of national
endeavour and above all the unity of our people. This is not only a source
of satisfaction but a source of honour too. This furnishes the living with
hope for a better future. And the dead shall rest in peace for their sacrifice
in defence of their country has been honoured.
Those that have fallen in the battle-field have sacrificed themselves so that
Our future would be more secure. And we the living have the
responsibility of living up to the sacrifice that they have made, and to this
all Ethiopians must dedicate themselves. In all your undertakings through
your career, base yourselves on greater knowledge, courage and
determination. For, if you base yourselves upon these values, you shall
not fail but you shall forever go from one victory to another. I thank all
the hard-working members of the Air Force. May God bless you.
| Chapter XIV |
| Speech At Air Force Display May 08, 1966 |
| Security |