| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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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 - February 4, 1967 |
I am glad to receive you here this morning. I am happy that you had this
opportunity to come to Our country to see some of Our development
projects. I hope that during your brief sojourn in Ethiopia, you had a
chance to observe what has been done with the assistance of the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank)
and by other multilateral assistance whcih had been given us.
As you have heard, We had launched a series of Five Year Plans and some
of these have been successfully completed. One such plan is now
underway. These Five-Year Plans have been envisaged to improve the
standard of living of Our people. With the enthusiastic participation of a
broad mass of the people, marked progress has been achieved.
I hope you have found the places you visited interesting -- some are
historical places and some are areas where development projects have
been inaugurated to raise the standard of living of Our people. While We
are proud of what has been achieved so far, neverthe less, We recognize
that there is much yet to be done and We have yet to travel a lot before
We get full satisfaction. I wish you had the opportunity to stay longer and
travel more extensively in the country.
As you know, Ethiopia is a big country; there are more than 22 million
people. I am confident that from what you have seen so far, you will be
able to judge for yourselves the nature of the general pattern of progress in
the country.
In reply to a question concerning "the greatest obstacle to the development
rate you would like to achieve," His Imperial Majesty said:
I believe tht one of the greatest factors to a higher rate of economic
development in any country, including Ethiopia, is the availability of
financial resources. No country can lift itself by its own bootstraps. In
order to achieve a high rate of development, all developing countries must
acquire assistance from abroad. That is why We have established
co-operation with the World Bank and secured bilateral and multilateral
assistance.
In addition to these, I believe that for a developing country to achieve a
high rate of development, it must attract foreign investment. Appropriate
laws have been enacted in Ethiopia to encourage foreign investment.
opportunity to come to Our country to see some of Our development
projects. I hope that during your brief sojourn in Ethiopia, you had a
chance to observe what has been done with the assistance of the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank)
and by other multilateral assistance whcih had been given us.
As you have heard, We had launched a series of Five Year Plans and some
of these have been successfully completed. One such plan is now
underway. These Five-Year Plans have been envisaged to improve the
standard of living of Our people. With the enthusiastic participation of a
broad mass of the people, marked progress has been achieved.
I hope you have found the places you visited interesting -- some are
historical places and some are areas where development projects have
been inaugurated to raise the standard of living of Our people. While We
are proud of what has been achieved so far, neverthe less, We recognize
that there is much yet to be done and We have yet to travel a lot before
We get full satisfaction. I wish you had the opportunity to stay longer and
travel more extensively in the country.
As you know, Ethiopia is a big country; there are more than 22 million
people. I am confident that from what you have seen so far, you will be
able to judge for yourselves the nature of the general pattern of progress in
the country.
In reply to a question concerning "the greatest obstacle to the development
rate you would like to achieve," His Imperial Majesty said:
I believe tht one of the greatest factors to a higher rate of economic
development in any country, including Ethiopia, is the availability of
financial resources. No country can lift itself by its own bootstraps. In
order to achieve a high rate of development, all developing countries must
acquire assistance from abroad. That is why We have established
co-operation with the World Bank and secured bilateral and multilateral
assistance.
In addition to these, I believe that for a developing country to achieve a
high rate of development, it must attract foreign investment. Appropriate
laws have been enacted in Ethiopia to encourage foreign investment.
| Investment Protected |
I remember that when I paid a state visit to the United States a few years
ago, some persons expressed concern about investing in Our country
because of apprehension of expropriation in one form or another and fear
of nationalization. I assured at that same time some U.S. Congressmen,
officials and private individuals that apprehension was unfounded and that
any foreign capital in Ethiopia would always be protected by the State. I
am glad to say that those who were then suspicious are now beginning to
recognize the true situation prevailing in Ethiopia.
Although not adequate by any standard, yet it is satisfactory to note that
there is an increasing interest on the part of private enterprise to invest in
Ethiopia.
In a reply to a Canadian journalist about the Emperor's forthcoming state
visit to Canada, His Imperial Majesty said: Upon the invitation extended to
me by the Governor General of Canada. I will visit that country for the
third time in the spring. In my previous visits to Canada, I had the
opportunity to experience at first hand the sentiments the Canadian
Government and people entertain towards Our people and Government.
My third visit, which is occasioned by the 1967 Exhibition -- in which
Ethiopia is fully participating -- will provide me with a further opportunity
to strengthen the friendly relations that already exist between Canada and
Ethiopia.
Among the group of journalists was Dr. F.E. Aschinger, the senior
financial editor of the Neue Zurcher Zeitung of Switzerland, who told the
Emperor during the course of the audience that he had the opportunity to
hear Him address the League of Nations in 1936 in Geneva during the
Fascist invasion.
Dr. Aschinger said: I had the opportunity to be present during Your
address to the League of Nations in 1936 when the Fascists invaded Your
country. I had the good opportunity then to witness Your courage and
determination, in the face of adversity, in the cause of Your people and the
freedom of mankind in general as well as collective security. I am very
pleased to see today the same determination and vitality in the cause of
world peace and collective security. I wish Your Majesty good health to
continue your excellent work for the progress of Your people and for the
people of the world.
In reply His Imperial Majesty said: I am pleased to see here today some
have not stopped labouring for the progess of My people and My efforts
for world peace shall never cease. I accept your good wishes.
ago, some persons expressed concern about investing in Our country
because of apprehension of expropriation in one form or another and fear
of nationalization. I assured at that same time some U.S. Congressmen,
officials and private individuals that apprehension was unfounded and that
any foreign capital in Ethiopia would always be protected by the State. I
am glad to say that those who were then suspicious are now beginning to
recognize the true situation prevailing in Ethiopia.
Although not adequate by any standard, yet it is satisfactory to note that
there is an increasing interest on the part of private enterprise to invest in
Ethiopia.
In a reply to a Canadian journalist about the Emperor's forthcoming state
visit to Canada, His Imperial Majesty said: Upon the invitation extended to
me by the Governor General of Canada. I will visit that country for the
third time in the spring. In my previous visits to Canada, I had the
opportunity to experience at first hand the sentiments the Canadian
Government and people entertain towards Our people and Government.
My third visit, which is occasioned by the 1967 Exhibition -- in which
Ethiopia is fully participating -- will provide me with a further opportunity
to strengthen the friendly relations that already exist between Canada and
Ethiopia.
Among the group of journalists was Dr. F.E. Aschinger, the senior
financial editor of the Neue Zurcher Zeitung of Switzerland, who told the
Emperor during the course of the audience that he had the opportunity to
hear Him address the League of Nations in 1936 in Geneva during the
Fascist invasion.
Dr. Aschinger said: I had the opportunity to be present during Your
address to the League of Nations in 1936 when the Fascists invaded Your
country. I had the good opportunity then to witness Your courage and
determination, in the face of adversity, in the cause of Your people and the
freedom of mankind in general as well as collective security. I am very
pleased to see today the same determination and vitality in the cause of
world peace and collective security. I wish Your Majesty good health to
continue your excellent work for the progress of Your people and for the
people of the world.
In reply His Imperial Majesty said: I am pleased to see here today some
have not stopped labouring for the progess of My people and My efforts
for world peace shall never cease. I accept your good wishes.
| Chapter XVIII |
| Speech To Visiting Jouralists Feb. 04, 1967 |