| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| ... If, in defending Free Ethiopia and her freeborn children from the detestable yoke of slavery, you learn to combine the spirit of heroism which you have inherited from your forefathers with the technical skill which you will acquire at this Academy, the faith and trust which We and Our people have reposed in you will be fully justified, and you will, moreover, be able to be of help to our brethren both far and near .... |
| Opens Haile Selassie I Military Academy Oct. 06, 1958 |
Many years have elapsed since We first planned the establishment of this
Military Academy which We inaugurate today. The Military College which
We instituted at Guennet in 1934 was intended to serve as the bridge
towards the attainment of the goal which We now see realized. Through
the invasion of Our country interrupted this and the many other projects
which we had in those early days laid out for the development and
progress of Ethiopia, We can today offer unbounded thanks to Almighty
God that We have been permitted to witness the fulfillment of many of
Our original projects.
We have long recognised that raising the general level of education in
Ethiopia required the opening of many institutions of higher learning, and
that We could not attain our objectives unless this was accomplished and
large numbers of Our people received extensive education. In this same
spirit, We have established this Military Academy in order that Our Armed
Forces might acquire the advanced training in military science which is
essential under the conditions created by modern civilization. The
responsibility which devolves upon this institution is great indeed, for it is
this Academy's task to impart to officer cadets the new skills and
techniques by which, in modern warfare, the overwhelming numbers and
military might of an enemy may be overcome.
Our forefathers, benefiting from the wisdom which Almighty God
revealed to them in their time, fought with valour and heroism to
preserve the freedom of Our country. To complement the valour and
heroism which Our Armed Forces have inherited from them --
qualities which no amount of military training can provide -- there must
now be provided mastery of the complex techniques of modern
warfare. Strength may be useless where skill is required. A mature
mind and a wealth of experience are needed to decide upon the time
and place where strength and skill may be most effectively combined
in battle. A military officer confronted with the task of carrying out an
operation entrusted to him by his superiors, feeling the weight of the
responsibility of devising the proper means of fulfilling his duty, will be
able to call for assistance upon the training he has received in this
institution, which, like torch shedding light both forward and behind,
will guide him in his work.
Military Academy which We inaugurate today. The Military College which
We instituted at Guennet in 1934 was intended to serve as the bridge
towards the attainment of the goal which We now see realized. Through
the invasion of Our country interrupted this and the many other projects
which we had in those early days laid out for the development and
progress of Ethiopia, We can today offer unbounded thanks to Almighty
God that We have been permitted to witness the fulfillment of many of
Our original projects.
We have long recognised that raising the general level of education in
Ethiopia required the opening of many institutions of higher learning, and
that We could not attain our objectives unless this was accomplished and
large numbers of Our people received extensive education. In this same
spirit, We have established this Military Academy in order that Our Armed
Forces might acquire the advanced training in military science which is
essential under the conditions created by modern civilization. The
responsibility which devolves upon this institution is great indeed, for it is
this Academy's task to impart to officer cadets the new skills and
techniques by which, in modern warfare, the overwhelming numbers and
military might of an enemy may be overcome.
Our forefathers, benefiting from the wisdom which Almighty God
revealed to them in their time, fought with valour and heroism to
preserve the freedom of Our country. To complement the valour and
heroism which Our Armed Forces have inherited from them --
qualities which no amount of military training can provide -- there must
now be provided mastery of the complex techniques of modern
warfare. Strength may be useless where skill is required. A mature
mind and a wealth of experience are needed to decide upon the time
and place where strength and skill may be most effectively combined
in battle. A military officer confronted with the task of carrying out an
operation entrusted to him by his superiors, feeling the weight of the
responsibility of devising the proper means of fulfilling his duty, will be
able to call for assistance upon the training he has received in this
institution, which, like torch shedding light both forward and behind,
will guide him in his work.
| Selected Speeches |
| Worth of Freedom |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
| Haile Selassie the First - May 26, 1964 |
| Chapter III |
| 1st Anniversary Of Organization Of African Unity May 26, 1964 |
| Inter-Africa |
A momentous year ago this day, in a supreme moment of great historical
vision, thirty African leaders undid the tangled knot of injustices
bequeathed from long and shadowy years of colonialism. Thus was the
Organization of African Unity born.
In its wake not only were vast vistas of challenges and opportunities
opened but also a stirring hope and sober recognition has dawned on
Africa; a faith and a determination that, immense as are the challenges that
lie ahead, they shallall be conquered, and abundant as are the opportunities
that await us, they shall not be wasted.
Significantly also, with the birth of the Organization, the unmaking of
history in Africa -- the decolonization process -- which was initiated by
the struggle of the African peoples themselves has been given an added,
nay, a decisive momentum. For the first time Africa has learned what
strength there is in unity. Thus, we are witnessing the glorious march of
Africa on the path of Unity.
The past year has been one of reflection and intensive stock-taking. All
organs of the Organization have met to lay strong groundworks for our
future efforts. Now that this useful phase of work has been completed,
we have to resolve that the coming year is the period of decisive take-off.
Considering the magnitude of the pressing problems facing Africa, it is
inevitable that we will have to proceed forthwith at an accelerated pace.
The pattern for bold and imaginative projects on a continental scale has
been set by the establishment of the African Development Bank, the idea
of which was of purely African initiative, now reaching the stage of
operation with the assistance of the United Nations and a number of
friendly foreign powers. We are confident that in the very near future
Africa will be the site for the "launchings" of other such beneficial
inter-African projects.
In the political domain the year was not without incidents. The likelihood
of yet others arising cannot be ignored. But is it not in recognition of this
that the Organization was created? The peace and order which we all
desire to see in Africa cannot certainly be envisaged without handicaps.
What is important is that, in keeping with the auspicious beginnings we
have made, if disputes break out amongst us, we insulate them from the
cold war and seek their solutions within the Councils of the family. We
should attach as much importance to the process and mechanism of
finding solutions to our disputes as to the solutions themselves, to set a
precedent for co-operation in the future.
vision, thirty African leaders undid the tangled knot of injustices
bequeathed from long and shadowy years of colonialism. Thus was the
Organization of African Unity born.
In its wake not only were vast vistas of challenges and opportunities
opened but also a stirring hope and sober recognition has dawned on
Africa; a faith and a determination that, immense as are the challenges that
lie ahead, they shallall be conquered, and abundant as are the opportunities
that await us, they shall not be wasted.
Significantly also, with the birth of the Organization, the unmaking of
history in Africa -- the decolonization process -- which was initiated by
the struggle of the African peoples themselves has been given an added,
nay, a decisive momentum. For the first time Africa has learned what
strength there is in unity. Thus, we are witnessing the glorious march of
Africa on the path of Unity.
The past year has been one of reflection and intensive stock-taking. All
organs of the Organization have met to lay strong groundworks for our
future efforts. Now that this useful phase of work has been completed,
we have to resolve that the coming year is the period of decisive take-off.
Considering the magnitude of the pressing problems facing Africa, it is
inevitable that we will have to proceed forthwith at an accelerated pace.
The pattern for bold and imaginative projects on a continental scale has
been set by the establishment of the African Development Bank, the idea
of which was of purely African initiative, now reaching the stage of
operation with the assistance of the United Nations and a number of
friendly foreign powers. We are confident that in the very near future
Africa will be the site for the "launchings" of other such beneficial
inter-African projects.
In the political domain the year was not without incidents. The likelihood
of yet others arising cannot be ignored. But is it not in recognition of this
that the Organization was created? The peace and order which we all
desire to see in Africa cannot certainly be envisaged without handicaps.
What is important is that, in keeping with the auspicious beginnings we
have made, if disputes break out amongst us, we insulate them from the
cold war and seek their solutions within the Councils of the family. We
should attach as much importance to the process and mechanism of
finding solutions to our disputes as to the solutions themselves, to set a
precedent for co-operation in the future.
| Real Test |
The Algerian-Moroccan conflict in a way provided the first opportunity to
put to a real test the mechanism for constructive diplomacy which we had
so labouriously and painstakingly built at Addis Ababa. Thanks to their
political wisdom and their eagerness to listen to family counsels, the
hostilities that so suddenly bedevilled relations between the two brotherly
African countries have ceased altogether. The Speical Commission
created by the meeting of our Foreign Ministers has not spared any effort
in its search for a mutually acceptable solution.
Likewise in the Ethiopian-Somali conflict, both parties have shown their
readiness to seek within the O.A.U. such solutions for their differences.
The direct contacts that have recently been established between Ethiopia
and the Somali Republic in Khartoum have already produced beneficial
results. A Joing Commission is currently engaged in supervizing the
withdrawl of troops to fifteen kilometers on both sides of the border, thus
strengthening the ceasefire arrangements recommended by the Council of
Ministers. What remains now is to carry still further the momentum thus
generated by this limited but neverless very auspicious agreement.
The collective response of African countries to the request of President
Nyerere to examine the situation that had arisen in Tanganyika and East
Africa as a result of army mutinies has led to the first concrete result in
the field of co-operation in defence matters. This achievement is a
significant herald to yet more useful results to come in inter-African
co-operation.
Last year, we remarked that what we Africans lacked was the mechanism
which would enable us to speak with one voice and to act in unison.
Today, we have the O.A.U. as the authentic voice of a new and united and
ever-progressive Africa. Its achievements of this past year should spur us
on to continue unflinchingly our dedication to realize the noble aspirations
of the peoples of our Continent.
put to a real test the mechanism for constructive diplomacy which we had
so labouriously and painstakingly built at Addis Ababa. Thanks to their
political wisdom and their eagerness to listen to family counsels, the
hostilities that so suddenly bedevilled relations between the two brotherly
African countries have ceased altogether. The Speical Commission
created by the meeting of our Foreign Ministers has not spared any effort
in its search for a mutually acceptable solution.
Likewise in the Ethiopian-Somali conflict, both parties have shown their
readiness to seek within the O.A.U. such solutions for their differences.
The direct contacts that have recently been established between Ethiopia
and the Somali Republic in Khartoum have already produced beneficial
results. A Joing Commission is currently engaged in supervizing the
withdrawl of troops to fifteen kilometers on both sides of the border, thus
strengthening the ceasefire arrangements recommended by the Council of
Ministers. What remains now is to carry still further the momentum thus
generated by this limited but neverless very auspicious agreement.
The collective response of African countries to the request of President
Nyerere to examine the situation that had arisen in Tanganyika and East
Africa as a result of army mutinies has led to the first concrete result in
the field of co-operation in defence matters. This achievement is a
significant herald to yet more useful results to come in inter-African
co-operation.
Last year, we remarked that what we Africans lacked was the mechanism
which would enable us to speak with one voice and to act in unison.
Today, we have the O.A.U. as the authentic voice of a new and united and
ever-progressive Africa. Its achievements of this past year should spur us
on to continue unflinchingly our dedication to realize the noble aspirations
of the peoples of our Continent.