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| Selected Speeches |
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| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Selected Speeches |
| War Dreadful |
in rank and We trust, in wisdom, do not be corrupted by this power. At
the present time the representatives of 98 nations are meeting in the United
Nations General Assembly to find an answer to one of the most cherished
dreams of mankind, that of peaceful disarmament, and to remedy the
many causes that have so far divided the nations of the world. Because of
the divergence among the big powers on disarmament and other world
issues, however, our planet is torn between conflicting interests.
Were the wishes of the smaller nations given their rightful consideration,
this state of affairs would have yielded to the necessary solution. Since
these smaller nations do not possess the power to implement their
recommendations, their advice has thus far gone unheeded. Nevertheless,
because mankind cannot abandon hope the struggle must continue. In the
present session of the General Assembly We understand that a group of
leaders such as Prime Minister Nehru are trying to find a compromise to
bring the two opposing blocs together. Since We subscribe in principle to
the same vein of though, We hope that something fruitful will result from
their endeavours.
It is in support of the principle of collective security that We have
dispatched Our troops to the Congo under the auspices of the United
Nations to maintain law and order and to preserve the integrity of the new
Republic, without interference in the internal affairs of that country. The
fact is that these troops have encountered certain obstacles in the
execution of their duties.
The Congo problem has not as yet been resolved not only because of the
East-West conflict but as well because of the lack of solidarity among the
Independent African States. This absence of solidarity and the East-West
divergence on the issue has created a regrettable and painful situation. In
this the Congolese people in particular must suffer the consequences, but,
in the final analysis, it is detrimental to the whole of Africa.
While We do not anticipate that these observations and circumstances
would encompass you or future generations, We have cited them so that
in the execution of your future duties which will not be limited only to the
military field, if they occur, you will be able to evaluate them and be in a
better position to undertake your responsibilities. You should continue
without fail to broaden and develop your knowledge. For a person who
claims to know everything, as the Scriptures say, is like "sounding brass
and tinkling cymbal."
Use your knowledge for good, to preserve peace among men. Your
prayers today should be two-fold. First, that never, during your lifetime
will you ever be called upon to fire a shot in battle; secondly, if you are
required to do so, that you will acquit yourselves well in the hoary
Ethiopian tradition.
We extend warm greetings to the Military Representatives of friendly
countries who, in response to Our invitation, have come here today to
partake with Us in the joy of this event.
the present time the representatives of 98 nations are meeting in the United
Nations General Assembly to find an answer to one of the most cherished
dreams of mankind, that of peaceful disarmament, and to remedy the
many causes that have so far divided the nations of the world. Because of
the divergence among the big powers on disarmament and other world
issues, however, our planet is torn between conflicting interests.
Were the wishes of the smaller nations given their rightful consideration,
this state of affairs would have yielded to the necessary solution. Since
these smaller nations do not possess the power to implement their
recommendations, their advice has thus far gone unheeded. Nevertheless,
because mankind cannot abandon hope the struggle must continue. In the
present session of the General Assembly We understand that a group of
leaders such as Prime Minister Nehru are trying to find a compromise to
bring the two opposing blocs together. Since We subscribe in principle to
the same vein of though, We hope that something fruitful will result from
their endeavours.
It is in support of the principle of collective security that We have
dispatched Our troops to the Congo under the auspices of the United
Nations to maintain law and order and to preserve the integrity of the new
Republic, without interference in the internal affairs of that country. The
fact is that these troops have encountered certain obstacles in the
execution of their duties.
The Congo problem has not as yet been resolved not only because of the
East-West conflict but as well because of the lack of solidarity among the
Independent African States. This absence of solidarity and the East-West
divergence on the issue has created a regrettable and painful situation. In
this the Congolese people in particular must suffer the consequences, but,
in the final analysis, it is detrimental to the whole of Africa.
While We do not anticipate that these observations and circumstances
would encompass you or future generations, We have cited them so that
in the execution of your future duties which will not be limited only to the
military field, if they occur, you will be able to evaluate them and be in a
better position to undertake your responsibilities. You should continue
without fail to broaden and develop your knowledge. For a person who
claims to know everything, as the Scriptures say, is like "sounding brass
and tinkling cymbal."
Use your knowledge for good, to preserve peace among men. Your
prayers today should be two-fold. First, that never, during your lifetime
will you ever be called upon to fire a shot in battle; secondly, if you are
required to do so, that you will acquit yourselves well in the hoary
Ethiopian tradition.
We extend warm greetings to the Military Representatives of friendly
countries who, in response to Our invitation, have come here today to
partake with Us in the joy of this event.
| Haile Selassie the First - October 3, 1960 |
We have been blessed, during Our lifetime, in having been spared to see
the fruits of the labours which We have expended on behalf of the
advancement and progress of Our beloved country bloom and ripen before
Our very eyes. In the decades which have passed since, by the Grace of
Almighty God, We were called to the throne of this, Our Empire, We have
seen Our country grow and flourish, We have seen Ethiopia emerge free
and victorious from the trials and oppressions of the period of invasion,
We have witnessed succeeding generations of the youth of Our Empire
come of age and rededicated themselves to the cause of their Motherland.
And each year, We have been fortunate indeed in that We have seen the
fulfilment of old dreams, the attainment of goals established long ago.
One such event We celebrate today, when the first class of officer cadets,
educated at the Haile Selassie I Academy graduate from this institution to
take their place in the Officer Corps of the Imperial Ethiopian Armed
Forces. This is a proud day indeed, and grateful thanks are due to all who
have in any way contributed to this achievement; those who assisted Us in
the planning of the project; the Officiers of Our Army who have
co-operated in the operation of the Academy; Brigadier Rawlley and the
officers of the Indian Army and the Indian civilians who have toiled so
selflessly in the education of these cadets; the Indian Government, which
so generously placed these instructors at the Academy's disposal.
When We first decided to staff this Academy with Indian Officers, it was
Our sincere belief that they would do their utmost to meet Our desire. We
thank General Thimayya for his kind remarks and for the advice he has
given to the Cadets.
In the midst of these celebrations, We would only add some words
concerning the significance of this day for the graduates who are filed
here before Us. To you new officers now falls a high measure of
responsibility for the protection of your country, which has made such
great sacrifices on your behalf, against any enemy, coming from whatever
quarter, who would harm her or rob her people of the precious gift of
freedom in defence of which your forefathers sacrificailly shed their
blood. Just as life is characterized by pleasure and pain, in the fulfilment
of your high mission you will inevitably encounter both of these attributes.
To discharge this duty, you must at all times maintain yourselves at the
peak of metnal and physical standard. You must be loyal, of high moral
To discharge this duty, you must at all times maintain yourselves at the
courageous in the face of danger and tireless on the field of battle. You
peak of metnal and physical standard. You must be loyal, of high moral
must inspire confidence in those you lead and show them, by your
character and cultivate the habit of eternal vigilance. You must be
courageous in the face of danger and tireless on the field of battle. You
must inspire confidence in those you lead and show them, by your
example, that the defence of their Motherland is paramount and must be
placed above all else.
But another, equally important, responsibility will be yours in the years to
come. For, although you have been trained for warfare and battle, you
must strive, by all honourable means at your disposal, to assure that these
circumstances which will call into action the very skills and techniques in
which you have been trained never come into existence. Educated for
war, you must strive to preserve peace. Warfare never has made and can
never make an affirmative contribution to the welfare of mankind; good
cannot grow out of evil. Ethiopia has, during the lifetime of almost all here
present, been visited by the horrors of modern warfare, and the memories
and scars which it left upon Our country are vivid and visible for all to see.
But, as terrible as the war was, many hundredfold worse would be
warfare at this time; indeed warfare today would threaten the very
existence of mankind. Were it possible effectively to outlaw war, no
right-thinking person would hesitate even for a moment in doing so. If it
is not possible to do so today, it is only because mankind, despite the
lessons of history, has not yet learned to settle disputes among peoples and
nations by peaceful means. This also, must be your task and your goal in
your future careers.
the fruits of the labours which We have expended on behalf of the
advancement and progress of Our beloved country bloom and ripen before
Our very eyes. In the decades which have passed since, by the Grace of
Almighty God, We were called to the throne of this, Our Empire, We have
seen Our country grow and flourish, We have seen Ethiopia emerge free
and victorious from the trials and oppressions of the period of invasion,
We have witnessed succeeding generations of the youth of Our Empire
come of age and rededicated themselves to the cause of their Motherland.
And each year, We have been fortunate indeed in that We have seen the
fulfilment of old dreams, the attainment of goals established long ago.
One such event We celebrate today, when the first class of officer cadets,
educated at the Haile Selassie I Academy graduate from this institution to
take their place in the Officer Corps of the Imperial Ethiopian Armed
Forces. This is a proud day indeed, and grateful thanks are due to all who
have in any way contributed to this achievement; those who assisted Us in
the planning of the project; the Officiers of Our Army who have
co-operated in the operation of the Academy; Brigadier Rawlley and the
officers of the Indian Army and the Indian civilians who have toiled so
selflessly in the education of these cadets; the Indian Government, which
so generously placed these instructors at the Academy's disposal.
When We first decided to staff this Academy with Indian Officers, it was
Our sincere belief that they would do their utmost to meet Our desire. We
thank General Thimayya for his kind remarks and for the advice he has
given to the Cadets.
In the midst of these celebrations, We would only add some words
concerning the significance of this day for the graduates who are filed
here before Us. To you new officers now falls a high measure of
responsibility for the protection of your country, which has made such
great sacrifices on your behalf, against any enemy, coming from whatever
quarter, who would harm her or rob her people of the precious gift of
freedom in defence of which your forefathers sacrificailly shed their
blood. Just as life is characterized by pleasure and pain, in the fulfilment
of your high mission you will inevitably encounter both of these attributes.
To discharge this duty, you must at all times maintain yourselves at the
peak of metnal and physical standard. You must be loyal, of high moral
To discharge this duty, you must at all times maintain yourselves at the
courageous in the face of danger and tireless on the field of battle. You
peak of metnal and physical standard. You must be loyal, of high moral
must inspire confidence in those you lead and show them, by your
character and cultivate the habit of eternal vigilance. You must be
courageous in the face of danger and tireless on the field of battle. You
must inspire confidence in those you lead and show them, by your
example, that the defence of their Motherland is paramount and must be
placed above all else.
But another, equally important, responsibility will be yours in the years to
come. For, although you have been trained for warfare and battle, you
must strive, by all honourable means at your disposal, to assure that these
circumstances which will call into action the very skills and techniques in
which you have been trained never come into existence. Educated for
war, you must strive to preserve peace. Warfare never has made and can
never make an affirmative contribution to the welfare of mankind; good
cannot grow out of evil. Ethiopia has, during the lifetime of almost all here
present, been visited by the horrors of modern warfare, and the memories
and scars which it left upon Our country are vivid and visible for all to see.
But, as terrible as the war was, many hundredfold worse would be
warfare at this time; indeed warfare today would threaten the very
existence of mankind. Were it possible effectively to outlaw war, no
right-thinking person would hesitate even for a moment in doing so. If it
is not possible to do so today, it is only because mankind, despite the
lessons of history, has not yet learned to settle disputes among peoples and
nations by peaceful means. This also, must be your task and your goal in
your future careers.
| Chapter XIV |
| Speech To The Harar Military Academy Oct. 03, 1960 |
| Security |
| ... Educated for war, you must struve to preserve peace ... |