Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I
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Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved.
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The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc.
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The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc.
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Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I
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The Charter of the United Nations Organization embodies the fundamental
hopes and aspirations of mankind, of safeguarding human rights,
maintaining world peace, raising global standards of living, and for
advancing educational standards without making any distinction of race,
sex, language and religion. And these hopes and aspirations of mankind
can only be of value when we ourselves are dedicated to pursue the goal
set by showing abiding respect for the provisions of the Charter and by
working for their ultimate realization. Unflinching dedication to the
Charter is essential if world peace is to be strengthened and fundamental
human rights are to be adequately safeguarded. In word and in deed, we
must exemplify a resolute spirit to defend international morality when
threatened and if necessary to suffer and die for truth and justice so that
this international morality will be reinforced and strengthened. As We said
on various occasions in the past, the responsibility for safeguarding world
peace is not limited to the Great Powers. Peace and war affect not only
the Big Powers but all mankind and are therefore the concern of all the
peoples of the world.
Co-operation and understanding are basic to the maintenance of world
peace; therefore it is the duty of the international community to endeavour
so that this spirit be strengthened and made universal among all nations
who hold the responsibility of safeguarding world peace.
The peoples of the world draw new moral strength and hope from
considering what the United Nations can do in achieving the objectives
referred to above. Because of the existence of the U.N. disputes arising
between two states wherein the interest of one of them is trampled upon
by the other become eventually a matter of international public opinion
which cold influence the justice of the cause. The organization also has
the power and influence to give international conflicts the opportunity of
affording a period for the reduction of the temper of such conflicts and to
mitigate the forces of evil before they reach a point of explosion that can
destroy mankind.
United Nations International
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Haile Selassie the First - June 27, 1965
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20th Anniversary Of U.N. Charter Jun. 27, 1965
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The occasion being observed today marks the 20th anniversary of the
signing of the Charter of the United Nations Organization. At the same
time also, the current year, 1965, has been designated as International
Co-operation Year and is being observed as such in accordance with the
suggestions made by the late Prime Minister Nehru of India for "laying
more emphasis on the spirit of good co-operation and understanding
existing between governments of countries whose relations are often
known in terms of international problems, conflicts and
misunderstandings."
As a founding member of the United Nations Organization twenty years
ago today, Ethiopia has been carrying out satisfactorily her obligations for
strengthening the constitutional set up of the world body over the years.
As a member of the various agencies of the world organization, in the
discharge of her duties she has been also availing herself of the services
rendered by the international body.
Today, the peoples of the world are about to succeed in overcoming the
barriers of time and space by living as members of a closely linked family
of nations as a result of the advances made by modern science and
technology. It can be said, therefore, that the world has now reached the
stage where matters affecting every individual country concern members
of the entire international community.
How best then could a world more united, peoples more intimately linked,
attain the noble goal of further strengthening the spirit of international
co-operation, establishing an atmosphere of mutual understanding and
comprehension, and of making an effort for creating a world of supreme
peace and happiness? The answer to this fundamental question must be
provided by the United Nations Organization which is now observing the
twentieth anniversary of its founding. On the occasion of this 20th
anniversary observance, it is indeed timely to contemplate what this
organization is, what are its potentialities and on the assessment of its
achievements during the past twenty years to project what it should be --
this organization in which mankind has reposed its faith as a useful
instrument for exploring ways of settling disputes and conflicts between
states and governments and for the maintenance of international peace and
security, making suggestions on how best to improve it still further.
Has the United Nations Organization the authority for achieving these
ends? Is the Organization showing a zealous spirit to pursue these ends
consistently? If it has not authority for doing these things, are we ready
and willing to vest it with enough power for the organization to carry out
its task satisfactorily? If we are to survive the Organization has also got to
survive. If it has to survive, it should be strengthened. And, to strengthen
its structure, the Organization must get the requisite authority. The weak
must not be mauled or molested by the strong. All states fulfilling
conditions entitling them to membership should be admitted to the
Organization. Because peace cannot reign in an atmosphere reeking with
poverty and hunger, We should explore and strengthen the means of
feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and enlightening the illiterate.
Today the Great Powers should also wake up to the realization of the fact
that the key to their destiny and future happiness does not lie in their own
hands alone. There is no peace without co-operation. Be it known that
the principles enshrined in the Charter and the resolutions adopted by the
Organization are not there only for the small nations to respect and to
implement. In efforts being made to ease the gravity of world problems,
the small nations should have a say. Their voices should be heard. An
atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence cannot be established when the
rights of small nations are not accorded the same respect as those of the
Big Powers. In order to accomplish these tasks, it is essential to rouse the
conscience of mankind. Anyway, strength and mutual trust are two
indispensable qualities for achieving the common goal. Even if there is
strength, the common ground of mutual confidence must be established.
To establish this, we must work diligently. Once we are able to do what
is humanly possible, the rest could be left to the Almighty God. So that
man whom He has created in His own image may not be destroyed, let us
repose our faith in God.
The activities of the United Nations Organization can raise the living
standards of people throughout the world. However, how could it be
possible for this great task to be accomplished satisfactorily when some
states do not implement the decisions of the Organization? How could that
last hope of mankind achieve its noble objective when some states are
pursuing their own selfish ends of defying the authority of the international
organization? Does it not mean that, if the solutions to the problems
facing the world are not founded by the Organization, and if these, when
found, are not accepted by all member states, the international body is
growing weaker and weaker? We feel that the U.N. in its efforts to
provide a body of international law and to secure its respect has fallen
short of expectation.
What course of action should the small nations pursue vis 'a vis the
prevailing constitutional framework of the United Nations Organization and
the existing international situation? Small nations ought to refrain from
making themselves tools for igniting friction between the Great Powers.
Receiving development aid and other forms of foreign assistance should
not be conditioned by obligations to take sides. In order to achieve this
goal, they must not only adhere to a policy of political non-alignment but
they should also oppose and proscribe consistently all small conflicts
brought about, and to be brought about, and to be brought about, by the
prevailing international cold war. At a time when We are striving hard to
halt to halt the armanents race, We are convinced that a nuclear war
would devastate the whole world. However, we must work together for
the ending of the little wars which are consuming the energies of the small
nations and decimating our people.
The untenable doctrine of racial supremacy, being a threat to the
maintenance of international peace and security as well as a serious
set-back for establishing a salubrious atmosphere of understanding and
co-operation in the world, we must work together against the philosophy
of racism.