| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
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| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
Thus far, Ethiopia has restrained herself. We shall continue to do so, but
We shall defend Our soil and Our territorial integrity with all the force at
Our disposal. But the permanent solution to this problem lies only in
Somalia's final renunciation of the policy of territorial aggrandizement
which she has unswervingly followed during the last three and one-half
years and which has led to the sorry state of relations between our two
nations today.
One final point must be clear. There is no border conflict between
Ethiopia and Somalia. The border is defined in the Treaties of 1897 and
1908, which constitute the very basis upon which Somalia was granted
her independence by the United Nations. The frontier in the North,
defined in the Treaty of 1897 between Ethiopia and Great Britain, ahs been
demarcated on the ground for over thirty years. The boundary in the
South, defined in the Treaty of 1908 with Italy, has not been so
demarcated, but half of the countries of the world today live in peace with
their neighbours while their common frontiers remain undemarcated.
When the United Nations placed the former Italian colony of Somaliland
under trusteeship in 1950, a Provisional Administration Line was
established by the United Nations and, at Ethiopia's insistence, this Line
was defined with precision. When Somalia became independent in 1960,
this same Line determined the limits of the new Republic.
It is clear that the aggression which Somalia has comitted against Ethiopia
is not an isolated incident or an act of recklessness unrelated to some
broader pattern. It is part and parcel of the expansionist policy which
Somalia has consistently adhered to since July 1, 1960. It is equally clear
that this policy is unacceptable to Ethiopia. We seek only peace. We still
retain the hope that the people of Somalia who have, on various occasions,
expressed their deep concern over the policies detrimental to Somalia and
her people, may yet repudiate the adventure upon which their leaders have
embarked in order that bloodshed may end and tranquility may once again
be restored to the Horn of Africa. How far better it would be wre the
money expended in the pursuit of columny and aggression used, instead,
for the benefit and welfare of the people of Somalia. How far wiser it
would be were Somalia's leaders working in a spirit of harmony and
friendship, for the improvement of relations between our two countries.
We have already explained Our position to the African leaders who have
tried to reconcile our differences with Somalia and who have sent
messages and special envoys to Us. For their concern, and for the interest
and sympathy which they and their people have manifested, We express
Our thanks. We have told them that we covet no one's territory, but that
neither will we yield what is Ours. We have stated Our wish to live in
peace and harmony with Our neighbours. Seeking nothing which is theirs,
we also do not seek their enmity.
We shall defend Our soil and Our territorial integrity with all the force at
Our disposal. But the permanent solution to this problem lies only in
Somalia's final renunciation of the policy of territorial aggrandizement
which she has unswervingly followed during the last three and one-half
years and which has led to the sorry state of relations between our two
nations today.
One final point must be clear. There is no border conflict between
Ethiopia and Somalia. The border is defined in the Treaties of 1897 and
1908, which constitute the very basis upon which Somalia was granted
her independence by the United Nations. The frontier in the North,
defined in the Treaty of 1897 between Ethiopia and Great Britain, ahs been
demarcated on the ground for over thirty years. The boundary in the
South, defined in the Treaty of 1908 with Italy, has not been so
demarcated, but half of the countries of the world today live in peace with
their neighbours while their common frontiers remain undemarcated.
When the United Nations placed the former Italian colony of Somaliland
under trusteeship in 1950, a Provisional Administration Line was
established by the United Nations and, at Ethiopia's insistence, this Line
was defined with precision. When Somalia became independent in 1960,
this same Line determined the limits of the new Republic.
It is clear that the aggression which Somalia has comitted against Ethiopia
is not an isolated incident or an act of recklessness unrelated to some
broader pattern. It is part and parcel of the expansionist policy which
Somalia has consistently adhered to since July 1, 1960. It is equally clear
that this policy is unacceptable to Ethiopia. We seek only peace. We still
retain the hope that the people of Somalia who have, on various occasions,
expressed their deep concern over the policies detrimental to Somalia and
her people, may yet repudiate the adventure upon which their leaders have
embarked in order that bloodshed may end and tranquility may once again
be restored to the Horn of Africa. How far better it would be wre the
money expended in the pursuit of columny and aggression used, instead,
for the benefit and welfare of the people of Somalia. How far wiser it
would be were Somalia's leaders working in a spirit of harmony and
friendship, for the improvement of relations between our two countries.
We have already explained Our position to the African leaders who have
tried to reconcile our differences with Somalia and who have sent
messages and special envoys to Us. For their concern, and for the interest
and sympathy which they and their people have manifested, We express
Our thanks. We have told them that we covet no one's territory, but that
neither will we yield what is Ours. We have stated Our wish to live in
peace and harmony with Our neighbours. Seeking nothing which is theirs,
we also do not seek their enmity.
| Haile Selassie the First - February 24, 1964 |
We appreciate this opportunity to meet with you representatives of the
Press and explain to you certain matters dealing with relations between
Ethiopia and the Republic of Somalia which have not up to now received
the attention which they merit.
You are all familiar with the details of the armed aggression which the
military forces of the Republic of Somalia have carried out against
Ethiopia. You may not, however, be as familiar with the background
against which this aggression must be viewed.
First of all, we must accept as an irrefutable fact that the Republic of
Somalia is dedicated to a policy of territorial aggrandizement at the expense
of her neighbours, and that she appears prepared to pursue this policy by
all available means. This policy is written into Somalia's claims to
Ethiopian territory have been repeated by her leaders not once but many
times.
By contrast, Ethiopia's policy with respect to Somalia has been that the
boundary established between the two countries should be respected by
both. Ethiopia has never menaced or threatened Somalia, and we are
asserting no territorial claims of any sort against her.
In the family of nations there are countries with populations even smaller
than that of the Republic of Somalia which nonetheless live in peace and in
harmony with their neighbours. However, the Somalia leaders, inspired by
their expansionist policy, have resorted to force and false propaganda,
have attacked Ethiopia, and ahve shed innocent blood in pursuit of their
objectives. We have explained in the past the consequences and the
dangers inherent in this policy, and We shall continue to do so. We have
expressed Our sorrow that this policy continues, and We hope tht the
people of the Republic of Somalia have recongized the truth of what we
have said.
The Somalia leaders have chosen to execute their expansionist policy in a
variety of ways, ranging from falsehood to force. The Somalia
Government has sent armed bands into the territories of Ethiopia and
Kenya, where they attack, rob, loot and then flee into the shelter of the
Republic of Somalia. At the same time, the Government of Somalia has
carried on an intensive and malicious press and radio campaign against
Ethiopia which is unparalleled in this day and age in its violence. The
Ethiopian people and leaders have been insulted in the most vituperative
and slanderous terms. Somalia's radio has called for revolution in Ethiopia
and has incited subversion and sabotage. In all that she has done, Somalia
has violated almost daily for the last three and one-half years the most
sacred principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Organization
of African Unity.
Press and explain to you certain matters dealing with relations between
Ethiopia and the Republic of Somalia which have not up to now received
the attention which they merit.
You are all familiar with the details of the armed aggression which the
military forces of the Republic of Somalia have carried out against
Ethiopia. You may not, however, be as familiar with the background
against which this aggression must be viewed.
First of all, we must accept as an irrefutable fact that the Republic of
Somalia is dedicated to a policy of territorial aggrandizement at the expense
of her neighbours, and that she appears prepared to pursue this policy by
all available means. This policy is written into Somalia's claims to
Ethiopian territory have been repeated by her leaders not once but many
times.
By contrast, Ethiopia's policy with respect to Somalia has been that the
boundary established between the two countries should be respected by
both. Ethiopia has never menaced or threatened Somalia, and we are
asserting no territorial claims of any sort against her.
In the family of nations there are countries with populations even smaller
than that of the Republic of Somalia which nonetheless live in peace and in
harmony with their neighbours. However, the Somalia leaders, inspired by
their expansionist policy, have resorted to force and false propaganda,
have attacked Ethiopia, and ahve shed innocent blood in pursuit of their
objectives. We have explained in the past the consequences and the
dangers inherent in this policy, and We shall continue to do so. We have
expressed Our sorrow that this policy continues, and We hope tht the
people of the Republic of Somalia have recongized the truth of what we
have said.
The Somalia leaders have chosen to execute their expansionist policy in a
variety of ways, ranging from falsehood to force. The Somalia
Government has sent armed bands into the territories of Ethiopia and
Kenya, where they attack, rob, loot and then flee into the shelter of the
Republic of Somalia. At the same time, the Government of Somalia has
carried on an intensive and malicious press and radio campaign against
Ethiopia which is unparalleled in this day and age in its violence. The
Ethiopian people and leaders have been insulted in the most vituperative
and slanderous terms. Somalia's radio has called for revolution in Ethiopia
and has incited subversion and sabotage. In all that she has done, Somalia
has violated almost daily for the last three and one-half years the most
sacred principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Organization
of African Unity.
| Reject Propaganda |
By contrast, Ethiopia has refrained from replying in kind and has limited
herself to defending her territory against the Somalia Government to end
its propaganda against Our nation because We know that such a campaign
is calculated permanently to poison relations between people of Ethiopia
and Somalia, and particularly those of ex-British Somaliland who enter
Ethiopia to graze here and who also have close commercial relations with
Our country.
Two weeks ago Somalia launched a direct armed attack against Ethiopia's
security forces along the frontier and earlier reports that the Somalia
Government has maintained training centres in Somalia for preparing
armed bandits to violate and commit acts of violence and subversion in
Ethiopia were conclusively confirmed. Ethiopia promptly invoked the
Charter of African Unity and requested an extraordinary meeting of the
Council of Ministers of the O.A.U. Somalia, however, chose not to refer
this matter to her African nations in a dispute which should, initially at
least, be considered by Africans, she appealed to the Security Council of
the United Nations. In accordance with Ethiopia's request, and, belatedly,
Somalia's, the Council of Ministers met at Dar-es-Salaam. Ethiopia has
observed the Resolutions adopted there but, in direct violation of these
Resolutions, Somalia has ceased neither her armed attacks nor her
propaganda campaign and has continued her aggression against Our nation.
In recent days, Somalia has embarked upon a new course. First, she
alleged that American and Israeli aircraft were involved in hostilities on
Ethiopia's side, then that British troops had joined Ethiopian forces in
action against Somalia. These charges are, of course, unfounded and are
complete fabrications, as is virtually everything emanating from
Mogadiscio these days. Ethiopia is self-reliant. We need no non-African
assistance to defend Our soil. Ethiopia has strained every energy to ensure
that Africans themselves refrain from and avoid the shedding of African
blood, and the energies of all of us should be enlisted in this effort. Only a
few days ago, the Prime Minister of Somalia threatened to unleash
150,000 armed nomads from the Republic against Ethiopia. To this, let Us
only reply that history bears witness that, in less time than it would take to
recount, were it necessary to do so, Ethiopia could have under arms one
soldier for every member of Somalia's entire population. The Prime
Minister's reckless statement reflects only on those who speak in this
fashion and any action such as that threatened by Somalia leaders would
have the most far-reaching consequences. Ethiopia is not boastful, but her
history testifies to the courage and bravery of which she disposes in
defending her territory and her independence. She has been preserved
with the help of the Almighty, Who is ever at her side.
herself to defending her territory against the Somalia Government to end
its propaganda against Our nation because We know that such a campaign
is calculated permanently to poison relations between people of Ethiopia
and Somalia, and particularly those of ex-British Somaliland who enter
Ethiopia to graze here and who also have close commercial relations with
Our country.
Two weeks ago Somalia launched a direct armed attack against Ethiopia's
security forces along the frontier and earlier reports that the Somalia
Government has maintained training centres in Somalia for preparing
armed bandits to violate and commit acts of violence and subversion in
Ethiopia were conclusively confirmed. Ethiopia promptly invoked the
Charter of African Unity and requested an extraordinary meeting of the
Council of Ministers of the O.A.U. Somalia, however, chose not to refer
this matter to her African nations in a dispute which should, initially at
least, be considered by Africans, she appealed to the Security Council of
the United Nations. In accordance with Ethiopia's request, and, belatedly,
Somalia's, the Council of Ministers met at Dar-es-Salaam. Ethiopia has
observed the Resolutions adopted there but, in direct violation of these
Resolutions, Somalia has ceased neither her armed attacks nor her
propaganda campaign and has continued her aggression against Our nation.
In recent days, Somalia has embarked upon a new course. First, she
alleged that American and Israeli aircraft were involved in hostilities on
Ethiopia's side, then that British troops had joined Ethiopian forces in
action against Somalia. These charges are, of course, unfounded and are
complete fabrications, as is virtually everything emanating from
Mogadiscio these days. Ethiopia is self-reliant. We need no non-African
assistance to defend Our soil. Ethiopia has strained every energy to ensure
that Africans themselves refrain from and avoid the shedding of African
blood, and the energies of all of us should be enlisted in this effort. Only a
few days ago, the Prime Minister of Somalia threatened to unleash
150,000 armed nomads from the Republic against Ethiopia. To this, let Us
only reply that history bears witness that, in less time than it would take to
recount, were it necessary to do so, Ethiopia could have under arms one
soldier for every member of Somalia's entire population. The Prime
Minister's reckless statement reflects only on those who speak in this
fashion and any action such as that threatened by Somalia leaders would
have the most far-reaching consequences. Ethiopia is not boastful, but her
history testifies to the courage and bravery of which she disposes in
defending her territory and her independence. She has been preserved
with the help of the Almighty, Who is ever at her side.
| Shall Defend Soil |
| Chapter XVIII |
| Press Conference Regarding Somalia Feb. 24, 1964 |
| Press |