| 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 |
Moreover, during the last few years, We have personally travelled to your
great country, to Europe, to the Far East, and to the Middle East, in order
ot press the cause of freedom in Africa. Now We are engaged in a series
of visits to the independent countries of Africa so as to assist in
strengthening the bases of collaboration which are so necessary for the
attainment of those objectives.
In concerting Our efforts, we must, at the same time, be prepared to pool
Our energies and resources and to contribute to the establishment of an
African programme of mutual aid. For example, the independent African
States have the obligation to open their educational institutions to students
from all African countries. We have, to this end, already provided no less
than 250 scholarships. It is hoped that Our University at Addis Ababa may
play an ever-more important role in this great African endeavour. Here is a
field where disinterested foreign contributions would be of inestimable
value in drawing closer together peoples of distant Continents.
Similarly, it is essential that capital resources be available to permit that
industrial development which is so essential to the maintenance of political
and economic independence. It is a fact that too many agricultural
countries today fail to perceive that a measure of industrial development
and an industrial structure constitute a necessary safeguard of economic
autonomy and, consequently, of political independence. We firmly believe
that foreign capital and skill can, without compromising political or
economic independence -- on the contrary, by supporting them, make a
profound contribution to the progress and welfare of African peoples. In
this situation, the greatest industrial Power today should be alert to
augment the measure of its investments in the African economies.
It is to be hoped that, with greater knowledge of African affairs which
your visit to this Continent will certainly bring about, and with a more
penetrating comprehension of the motive and ideals which are inspiring all
Africans today, it may prove possible to open a new era of material as well
as political and spiritual progress for the good of mankind.
great country, to Europe, to the Far East, and to the Middle East, in order
ot press the cause of freedom in Africa. Now We are engaged in a series
of visits to the independent countries of Africa so as to assist in
strengthening the bases of collaboration which are so necessary for the
attainment of those objectives.
In concerting Our efforts, we must, at the same time, be prepared to pool
Our energies and resources and to contribute to the establishment of an
African programme of mutual aid. For example, the independent African
States have the obligation to open their educational institutions to students
from all African countries. We have, to this end, already provided no less
than 250 scholarships. It is hoped that Our University at Addis Ababa may
play an ever-more important role in this great African endeavour. Here is a
field where disinterested foreign contributions would be of inestimable
value in drawing closer together peoples of distant Continents.
Similarly, it is essential that capital resources be available to permit that
industrial development which is so essential to the maintenance of political
and economic independence. It is a fact that too many agricultural
countries today fail to perceive that a measure of industrial development
and an industrial structure constitute a necessary safeguard of economic
autonomy and, consequently, of political independence. We firmly believe
that foreign capital and skill can, without compromising political or
economic independence -- on the contrary, by supporting them, make a
profound contribution to the progress and welfare of African peoples. In
this situation, the greatest industrial Power today should be alert to
augment the measure of its investments in the African economies.
It is to be hoped that, with greater knowledge of African affairs which
your visit to this Continent will certainly bring about, and with a more
penetrating comprehension of the motive and ideals which are inspiring all
Africans today, it may prove possible to open a new era of material as well
as political and spiritual progress for the good of mankind.
It is a great pleasure for Us to receive this large delegation of American
journalists. We take your visit as a manifestation of interest in the
challenge which Africa has so long presented to the world, a challenge to
respect for the principles of freedom, of international Law,
non-intervention, mutual respect and progress, a challenge, also, that for
too many decades had gone unheard. For years, as Sovereign of one of
the oldest and very few independent States on this Continent, We had been
called by historic events to press forward, at times quite alone, in defence
of those principles. We, therefore, take your presence here today as an
evidence of the encouragement which is now flowing in from all quarters
of the world to those who have fought and who are continuing to fight for
those ideals and principles.
Freedom, in Africa, as the history of Our Reign, We believe,
demonstrates, signifies an implacable and unceasing struggle against
colonialism. Within Our lifetime, Ethiopia has twice been called upon to
defend her age-old independence against invasion. the victory of Adowa
merely gave her a respite, during which time imperialist forces built up
their plans and strength to attack us once again. As before at Adowa in
1896, so Ethiopia in 1935, under Our leadership, waged without assistance
an implacable struggle against superior forces. Many were the occasions
before and during the years of lonely vigil abroad, when imperialist
interests sought to bring Us and Our people to abjure and abandon Our
high cause. They did not even hesitate to utilize neighbouring brothers and
territories, like Somaliland, as bases for assaults upon Our independence,
although many of those brothers fought on Our side against imperialism.
We and Our people rejected these attempts and so, at a critical stage or
world history, helped defend the cause of the freedom of Africa.
However, even upon vindicating Our freedom, the struggle had not yet
been won. Vested interests persisted in opposing the return to Ethiopia of
lands and population torn off by colonialist aggression, as well as her
access to the sea. Today, in this region, as elsewhere in Africa, these
interests seek through "Balkanization" to consolidate their positions in the
face of coalescence of national forces.
journalists. We take your visit as a manifestation of interest in the
challenge which Africa has so long presented to the world, a challenge to
respect for the principles of freedom, of international Law,
non-intervention, mutual respect and progress, a challenge, also, that for
too many decades had gone unheard. For years, as Sovereign of one of
the oldest and very few independent States on this Continent, We had been
called by historic events to press forward, at times quite alone, in defence
of those principles. We, therefore, take your presence here today as an
evidence of the encouragement which is now flowing in from all quarters
of the world to those who have fought and who are continuing to fight for
those ideals and principles.
Freedom, in Africa, as the history of Our Reign, We believe,
demonstrates, signifies an implacable and unceasing struggle against
colonialism. Within Our lifetime, Ethiopia has twice been called upon to
defend her age-old independence against invasion. the victory of Adowa
merely gave her a respite, during which time imperialist forces built up
their plans and strength to attack us once again. As before at Adowa in
1896, so Ethiopia in 1935, under Our leadership, waged without assistance
an implacable struggle against superior forces. Many were the occasions
before and during the years of lonely vigil abroad, when imperialist
interests sought to bring Us and Our people to abjure and abandon Our
high cause. They did not even hesitate to utilize neighbouring brothers and
territories, like Somaliland, as bases for assaults upon Our independence,
although many of those brothers fought on Our side against imperialism.
We and Our people rejected these attempts and so, at a critical stage or
world history, helped defend the cause of the freedom of Africa.
However, even upon vindicating Our freedom, the struggle had not yet
been won. Vested interests persisted in opposing the return to Ethiopia of
lands and population torn off by colonialist aggression, as well as her
access to the sea. Today, in this region, as elsewhere in Africa, these
interests seek through "Balkanization" to consolidate their positions in the
face of coalescence of national forces.
| African Liberation |
Nevertheless, with the victory, and although much remained to be
accomplished, We turned Our efforts towards advancing the cause of
freedom of others on this Continent. We felt it important that Our
brothers in Africa should attain to freedom and independence without the
cruel sacrifices and sufferings We had known. However, the proffering
of this assistance to others was beset with many difficulties. At the end of
the War, as indeed, for decades before the War, Ethiopia was still totally
surrounded, even cut off from the sea, by colonial territories. Colonialists
interests had thus built a barrier to separate Us from the rest of Africa.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, we contributed, as we are today
contributing, to the movement for the liberation of all African peoples. For
years, therefore, We brought Our efforts to bear at the United Nations and
elsewhere, to bring the nations of the world to the realization that
colonialism is no longer possible on the Continent of Africa.
Thus, alone in 1886, alone in 1925, alone in 1935 and alone at Geneva in
1936, Ethiopia fought for those principles of freedom, independence,
territorial integrity, non-intervention and collective security that have
become today the implicit precepts upon which the United Nations are
based and which, through that struggle, have so substantially contributed
to the achievement of independence and the end of colonialism in Africa.
Years ago, We took the lead in pressing by active measures, for the
freedom and independence of those States who today are honoured
Members of the United Nations.
Since political freedom cannot be assured without economic
independence, this struggle has been a long and, at times, a bitter one.
The economic obstacles are formidable, to say nothing of the political
opposition which those economic obstacles in fact support. The
opposition whould divide the countries of Africa, profitting by their
present vulnerable economic postures, in order to promote political aims.
We are confident that, by concerting among themselves, the people of
Africa will be able to build an enduring community linked by solid
economic as well as political bonds. However, it is important that the
opportunities for consultation be expanded to a maximum. For this
reason, Ethiopia has been a staunch supporter of every conference of
Independent Africa States. We feel that by consultation and co-operation
between independent States, the clarity and force of the ideals or of
freedom cna best be preserved. Addis Ababa has thus been the scene of
many conferences of African countries, and, in June of this year, the
second Conference of Independent African States will meet in Our Capital,
to be followed by a series of other African meetings.
accomplished, We turned Our efforts towards advancing the cause of
freedom of others on this Continent. We felt it important that Our
brothers in Africa should attain to freedom and independence without the
cruel sacrifices and sufferings We had known. However, the proffering
of this assistance to others was beset with many difficulties. At the end of
the War, as indeed, for decades before the War, Ethiopia was still totally
surrounded, even cut off from the sea, by colonial territories. Colonialists
interests had thus built a barrier to separate Us from the rest of Africa.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, we contributed, as we are today
contributing, to the movement for the liberation of all African peoples. For
years, therefore, We brought Our efforts to bear at the United Nations and
elsewhere, to bring the nations of the world to the realization that
colonialism is no longer possible on the Continent of Africa.
Thus, alone in 1886, alone in 1925, alone in 1935 and alone at Geneva in
1936, Ethiopia fought for those principles of freedom, independence,
territorial integrity, non-intervention and collective security that have
become today the implicit precepts upon which the United Nations are
based and which, through that struggle, have so substantially contributed
to the achievement of independence and the end of colonialism in Africa.
Years ago, We took the lead in pressing by active measures, for the
freedom and independence of those States who today are honoured
Members of the United Nations.
Since political freedom cannot be assured without economic
independence, this struggle has been a long and, at times, a bitter one.
The economic obstacles are formidable, to say nothing of the political
opposition which those economic obstacles in fact support. The
opposition whould divide the countries of Africa, profitting by their
present vulnerable economic postures, in order to promote political aims.
We are confident that, by concerting among themselves, the people of
Africa will be able to build an enduring community linked by solid
economic as well as political bonds. However, it is important that the
opportunities for consultation be expanded to a maximum. For this
reason, Ethiopia has been a staunch supporter of every conference of
Independent Africa States. We feel that by consultation and co-operation
between independent States, the clarity and force of the ideals or of
freedom cna best be preserved. Addis Ababa has thus been the scene of
many conferences of African countries, and, in June of this year, the
second Conference of Independent African States will meet in Our Capital,
to be followed by a series of other African meetings.
| Purposeful Visits |
| Chapter XVIII |
| Speech To Visiting U.S. Editors Mar. 14, 1960 |