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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 |
| Haile Selassie the First - May 2, 1960 |
been renewed in the conviction that you are well worthy of accomplishing
the military duties which are expected of you.
In this age, when the world is becoming ever smaller and the obligations
of Collective Security have become the obligations of all, it is vital that
Ethiopia's armed forces be at all times fit and ready to discharge these
duties.
We have in the past repeatedly stated as Our creed and Our goal the hope
that today -- when the nations of the world have opened their doors and
technological and scientific progress has increased the means and the
speed of communications -- that today, the spirit of equality and the
exchange of culture and mutual understanding among men might prevail
and peace might reign on earth.
Our sole desire is peace.
At present, no enemies threaten Ethiopia's tranquillity. But no one can
predict or postpone the changes that time invariably carries in its wake,
and one must be ever prepared to meet and cope with these changes.
The maintenance of peace requires eternal vigilance and a state of constant
readiness. To achieve these ends, Our defence forces, which have as
their ultimate objective the assurance of peace, can draw upon the
traditional bravery of Our people and the latest developments in modern
military science.
It is commonly believed that military training can serve only on the field of
battle. On the contrary, it can make a significant contribution to the cause
of Collective Security and the preservation of peace. This Ethiopia's
constant goal.
We are proud to say that We consider Our defence forces to have attained
that degree of preparedness which demonstrates to all that they are amply
qualified to fulfil their duties, and that the goal which We have set for them
has been fully realized.
Peace is the foundation for development. Ethiopia's armed forces,
established only for the preservation of peace, draw upon 3000 years of
heroic tradition and guarantee to Our people that, by their mastery of
modern military science, they are capable of achieving this most desirable
of ends.
You who have executed these manoeuvres before Us with such skill and
efficiency have proved yourselves worthy of the trust which We have
reposed in you. We know what effort and perseverance is required to
perform these exercises in the skilful manner which you have displayed,
and We are assured anew that whatever tasks are assigned to you will be
discharged with the same competence and dispatch.
The soldierly qualities of self-sacrifice and discipline are best tested and
demonstrated in the ordeal of fire. Today reveals that you possess these
essential qualities in abundance and, even more important, that the inherent
courage and valour of the Ethiopian fighting man courses through your
veins.
We take pride in reminding you that the tradition of Our Imperial Body
Guard has been to follow unquestioningly the call of duty and to laugh in
the face of death. To you who now take the place of those who have
gone before you falls the sacred task of upholding this noble and glorious
tradition.
We urge that you remain abreast of the latest and most modern military
techniques, and that you preserve yourselves ever vigilant and fully
prepared to answer your country's call.
In the Second World War, when psychological warfare was so effectively
used, it was Our Imperial Body Guard which proved to the world that
neither threats nor lures could divert the Ethiopian people from the path of
duty. As your fathers did before you, dedicate yourselves to the traditions
of loyalty and bravery. Prove yourselves worthy of the high and noble
duties to which you have been called.
the military duties which are expected of you.
In this age, when the world is becoming ever smaller and the obligations
of Collective Security have become the obligations of all, it is vital that
Ethiopia's armed forces be at all times fit and ready to discharge these
duties.
We have in the past repeatedly stated as Our creed and Our goal the hope
that today -- when the nations of the world have opened their doors and
technological and scientific progress has increased the means and the
speed of communications -- that today, the spirit of equality and the
exchange of culture and mutual understanding among men might prevail
and peace might reign on earth.
Our sole desire is peace.
At present, no enemies threaten Ethiopia's tranquillity. But no one can
predict or postpone the changes that time invariably carries in its wake,
and one must be ever prepared to meet and cope with these changes.
The maintenance of peace requires eternal vigilance and a state of constant
readiness. To achieve these ends, Our defence forces, which have as
their ultimate objective the assurance of peace, can draw upon the
traditional bravery of Our people and the latest developments in modern
military science.
It is commonly believed that military training can serve only on the field of
battle. On the contrary, it can make a significant contribution to the cause
of Collective Security and the preservation of peace. This Ethiopia's
constant goal.
We are proud to say that We consider Our defence forces to have attained
that degree of preparedness which demonstrates to all that they are amply
qualified to fulfil their duties, and that the goal which We have set for them
has been fully realized.
Peace is the foundation for development. Ethiopia's armed forces,
established only for the preservation of peace, draw upon 3000 years of
heroic tradition and guarantee to Our people that, by their mastery of
modern military science, they are capable of achieving this most desirable
of ends.
You who have executed these manoeuvres before Us with such skill and
efficiency have proved yourselves worthy of the trust which We have
reposed in you. We know what effort and perseverance is required to
perform these exercises in the skilful manner which you have displayed,
and We are assured anew that whatever tasks are assigned to you will be
discharged with the same competence and dispatch.
The soldierly qualities of self-sacrifice and discipline are best tested and
demonstrated in the ordeal of fire. Today reveals that you possess these
essential qualities in abundance and, even more important, that the inherent
courage and valour of the Ethiopian fighting man courses through your
veins.
We take pride in reminding you that the tradition of Our Imperial Body
Guard has been to follow unquestioningly the call of duty and to laugh in
the face of death. To you who now take the place of those who have
gone before you falls the sacred task of upholding this noble and glorious
tradition.
We urge that you remain abreast of the latest and most modern military
techniques, and that you preserve yourselves ever vigilant and fully
prepared to answer your country's call.
In the Second World War, when psychological warfare was so effectively
used, it was Our Imperial Body Guard which proved to the world that
neither threats nor lures could divert the Ethiopian people from the path of
duty. As your fathers did before you, dedicate yourselves to the traditions
of loyalty and bravery. Prove yourselves worthy of the high and noble
duties to which you have been called.
| Chapter XIV |
| Reviewing Military Manoeuvres May 02, 1960 |
| Security |