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Distributed in the U.S.A. by
The E.W.F. Local #1
P.O. Box 40-1167
Brooklyn, NY 11240-1167
Telephone: 718-277-1547
e-mail:
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EXCERPTS OF SELECTED SPEECHES OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY HAILE SELASSIE I BELOW
Please support the EWF's Education and Development Fundraising Drive by making a charitable, tax-deductible contribution and receive a gift of (a) "Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I", (b) the original "Save Ethiopia" button and (c) a copy of the EWF Constitution & Bylaws.
See our Contributions/Gifts page for details of our goals and gifts and suggested contributions.
EXCERPTS BELOW
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Excerpts from H.I.M. Selected Speeches
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History
The strength of the Christian tradition has been of vital significance in Our national history, and as a force for the unification of the Empire of Ethiopia. It is this force which gives us, among the other countries of the Middle East, a profound orientation towards the West. We read the same bible. We speak a common spiritual language.
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Heritage
It is this heritage of ideals and principles, that has excluded from our conscious, indeed, from our unconscious processes, the possibility of compromising with those principles which We
hold sacred. We have sought to remain faithful to the principles of respect for the rights of others, and the right of each people to an independent existence. We, like you, are profoundly opposed to the un-Christian use of force and are, as you, attached to a concept of the pacific settlement of disputes.
Page 115 |
History
As an integral part of the African Continent, Ethiopia looks back with pride to the role which she has played in the history of the development of Africa and looks forward with confidence to the future of this great continent. In her long and glorious history, Ethiopia, has time and again, had to struggle against
overwhelming odds to preserve intact her traditional freedom and independence and to guarantee from generation to generation the right of free men to work out their own destiny without interference or hindrance. The world is only now coming to realize what Ethiopia and Africa have long recognized, that peace, independence and the prosperity of mankind can be achieved and
assured only by the collective and united efforts of free men who are prepared to maintain eternal vigilance and labour unceasingly to protect these most precious of God's gifts.
Page 189 |
Culture
Through her location on the shores of the Red Sea and in the horn of East Africa, Ethiopia has profound historical ties with the rest of the Middle East as well as with Africa. In this respect she stands in a completely unique position. Her culture and social structure were founded in the mingling of her original culture and civilization with the Hamitic and Semitic migrations into Africa from the Arabic.
Indeed, at one time Ethiopia extended to both sides of the Red Sea as well as north to Upper Egypt. It was, therefore, not without reason that, during the Middle Ages, the Emperor was known as "he who maintains order between the Christians and the Moslems." A profound comprehension of and sympathy with the other states of the Middle East naturally inspires Ethiopian national policies.
Pages 113
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Education
Political independence, however, is but one part of the complex of problems which face the African people in their struggles to achieve their rightful place in the world. It is potentially the richest of continents, large numbers of her people still lead an existence that can only be regarded as sub-standard. A major cause of this lag in Africa's economic development has been
the lack of education of her people. Let us not be too proud to face these facts and to recognize Africa's deficiencies and defects. Let us face honestly and frankly the fact that by the
standards of the modern world, the African peoples today are poor. Our poverty need not cover us with shame. Africa, despite the predominantly agricultural basis of her economy, produces only a small percent of the world's foodstuffs. Indeed, Africa produces scarcely enough food to support her own peoples. The average wage of the African worker compares unfavorably with that of other areas of the world. The average African may, if fate has smiled upon him, receive the minimum amount of nourishment necessary for physical survival, but rarely more.
Page 193-194
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Redevelopment
The tide which is sweeping Africa today cannot be stayed. No power on earth is great enough to halt or reverse the trend. It's march is as relentless and inexorable as the passage of time.
The day is long overdue for a change of attitude on the part of those nations which have heretofore sought to hinder or impede this movement or which have been content in the past to remain passive in the face of the impassioned cries for freedom, for justice, for the right to stand with their fellowmen as equals, which have gone up from this Continent. It is time for them to enlist their sympathetic efforts on behalf of the struggle of the African peoples to gain the place in the world which is their God-given birthright. Those who fail or refuse to do so, those who lack the vision and foresight to realize that Africa is emerging into a new era, that Africans will no longer be denied the rights which are inalienably theirs, will not alter or reverse the course of history, but will only suffer the inevitable consequences of their refusal
to accept reality.
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UNITY
Let Us say, first of all, that Ethiopia considers herself a member of one group only-the African group. We will join in any deliberations, we will consider any plan, we will debate any proposal anywhere, and at any time, provided that it contributes to the maintenance of world peace, the development of Africa's human and material resources, and the protection of this continents legitimate interests. When we Africans have been misled into pigeon-holing one another, into attributing rigid and inflexible views to states which were present at one conference but not at another, then we shall, without reason or justification, have limited our own freedom of action and rendered immeasurably more difficult the task of joint efforts, in harmony and brotherhood, in the common cause of Africa.
Page -219- |
Freedom
Today , Africa has emerged from this dark passage. Our Armageddon is past. Africa has been reborn as a free continent and Africans have been reborn as free men. The blood that was
shed and the sufferings that were endured are today Africa's advocates for freedom and unity. Those men who refused to accept the judgment passed upon them by the colonizers, who held unswervingly through the darkest hours to a vision of an Africa emancipated from political, economic, and spiritual domination will be remembered and revered wherever Africans meet. Many of them never set foot on this continent. Others were born, and died here.What we may utter today can add little to the heroic struggle of those who, by their example, have shown us how precious are freedom and human dignity and of how little value is life without them. Their deeds are written in history.
Page-243- |
Constitution
The name of Emperor Haile Selassie I will always be dominant in Ethiopian history. This is particularly so in connection with the legal and constitutional changes which he has instated in the millennial history of the country. In this record July 16,1931 is particularly significant. On that memorable day, of His own volition and against strong conservative opposition. He granted to the Ethiopian people
the first written constitution ever. In the succeeding years, His Majesty the Emperor built on the basis of the 1931 Constitution a system of law and a legal and judicial system that has transformed modern Ethiopia. On the Silver Jubilee of his Coronation, again of his own free will, he granted to Ethiopia a Revised Constitution which consolidated the gains over the previous twenty-four years and gave the people greater participation in their government through making the Lower House of Parliament a popularly elected body. Subsequently, His Imperial Majesty had the laws of the county codified, thus strengthening further the legal and judicial system of Ethiopia. |
History
Ethiopia has been from ancient times well known for her hospitality, and this is not the first time she has welcomed holy fathers like yourselves. From the 4th century A. D. onward, monks and saints have come from Egypt, Syria and other Christian countries to Ethiopia and have been received with high honor and great respect. To mention only a few among those who are canonized in the Ethiopian church, the Nine Saints who came from different countries of the Middle East and Abune Gebre-Menfus-Kidus are examples. These holy fathers, preaching and establishing monasteries in various parts of Our county have greatly contributed to Ethiopian Christianity. Therefore, many churches and monasteries are dedicated to them in undying memory of the spiritual services which they rendered to our county.
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Ancient Ties
In ancient times, when the Faith of the whole Church was one, Our country had the closest relations with the Emperors of Christian Byzantium. At the time when several Christian people in
the North became subservient to non--Christian powers, our country gladly provided asylum to thousands of Christian refugees. It had equally given asylum from religious persecution at an
earlier date to the followers of the founder of Islam. Only when our own immediate neighbors ceased to be Christians did our contacts with our fellow-Christians in the North and East become difficult to maintain.
Page-636-637
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DECREE - GRANTING CONSTITUTION
..... We consider that it is Our duty to decree and enforce all the measures necessary for the maintenance of Our Government, for increasing the well being of Our people and aiding their progress on the road to happiness and the civilization attained by independent and cultured nations. We consider that the way to achieve this aim lies in the elaboration of the present Constitution, which will facilitate Government action, whilst assuring the happiness of the people who will, in addition, derive from it an honor which will not fail to be reflected on future generations and will permit the Empire to enjoy the inestimable benefits of peace.
Page-386-
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PROMULGATING THE REVISED CONSTITUTION.
Nearly a quarter of a century ago We were pleased to grant to Our beloved people the first Constitution in the history of this three-thousand-years-old Empire. Today, on the Jubilee
Anniversary of Our Coronation, We are pleased to proclaim a Revised Constitution consolidating the progress achieved, and preparing the way for future advances.
Page-396-
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Woman
Africa has accepted the challenge of the modern world and with it come grave responsibilities. Many discouraging hours will arise before the rainbow of accomplished goals will appear on the horizon. African civilization in its potential magnitude must be able to command fortitude, patience, tolerance and diligence. To sustain us in all our tasks we count on the women of Africa. Without their relentless vigilance no aspect of our responsibilities,
can be attained.Women's role has never been so demanding, and you can be proud to answer this call for the betterment and future of mankind.
Page-213- |
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EDUCATION
Humanity by nature is gifted to think freely, but in order that his free thought should lead him to the goal of liberty and independence, his way of thinking must be shaped by the
process of education. It is understood that the independence of mind created by education individually will have as result the creation of an independently minded nation.
Page-629-
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The Ethiopian World Federation Inc.
Constitution & BY LAWS
Incorporated August 25, 1937
(by Dr. Malaku Bayen)
Headquarters New York, N.Y.
Quoting Article 1V.
Section 1. Conventions: There shall be an annual Convention of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated. It shall be called on the sixteenth day of July. The Convention shall select the place of meeting of the succeeding Convention.
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EDUCATION
Africa has come to freedom under the most difficult and trying of circumstances. No small measure of the handicaps under which we labour derive from the low educational level attained by
our people and from their lack of knowledge of their fellow Africans. Education aboard is at best an unsatisfactory substitute for education at home. A massive effort must be launched in the educational and cultural fields which will not only raise the level of literacy and provide the cadres of skilled and trained technicians requisite to our growth and development but, as well, acquaint us one with another. Ethiopia, several years ago, instituted a program of scholarships for students coming from other African lands which has proved highly rewarding and fruit-ful, and We urge others to adopt projects of this sort.
Serious consideration should be given to the establishment of an African University, sponsored by all African States, where future leaders of Africa will be trained in an atmosphere of continental brotherhood. In this African institution,the supra-national aspects of African life would be emphasizeed and study would be directed toward the ultimate goal of complete African unity.
Page-251-252
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HISTORY
Ethiopia, as is well known, has a long tradition of recorded history running back to the inscriptions of Aksum. The country has also been fortunate in its scholarship centered on the age-old schools of our church (universities of the age). Ethiopia has been no less fortunate in attracting the interest of the international world of scholarship, as well as that of foreign well-wishers in far off lands.
Almost half a millennium ago, in 1513, the German Joh Potken, printed the first Ge'ez Psalter at the Vatican, and a few years later we find a Florentine trader, Andrea Corsali, contemplating the printing of Ge'ez books for the Emperor Lebna Dangel.
Some two hundred years later, in the middle of the seventeenth century, the Ethiopian monk Gregorius held his first meeting with the German scholar Job Ludolf. The friendship between these two learned men from the two ends of Christendom, Germany and Ethiopia, was most fruitful.
Ludolf, who has justly been called the "Father of Ethiopian Studies" in Europe, proceeded to produce a number of significant works in the field of history and linguistics, among them his Historia Aethiopica, in Latin, which first appeared in 1681 and his Lexicon Aethiopico - Latinum of 1681 and his Grammatical Linguae Amharicae, the first Amharic grammar of 1698.
Page-622-623
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Unity
..... Let us not put off, to later consideration and study, the single act, the one decision, which must emerge from this gathering if it is to have real meaning. This Conference cannot close without adopting a single African Charter....
May 25, 1963
Page-241-
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Quoting The EWF Inc. Constitution and By-Laws, ARTICLE I.Section 6.
Eligibility to Office.
Male and Female shall be equally eligible to all offices.
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Redevelopment
The tide which is sweeping Africa today cannot be stayed. No power on earth is great enough to halt or reverse the trend. Its march is as relentless and inexorable as the passage of time. The day is long overdue for a change of attitude on the part of those nations which have heretoforce sought to hinder or impede this movement or which have been content in the past to remain passive in the face of the impassioned cries for freedom, for justice, for the right to stand with their fellowmen as equals, which have gone up from this Continent. It is time for them to do so, those pathetic efforts on behalf of the struggle of the African peoples to gain the place in the world which is their God-given birthright. Those who hail or refuse to do so, those who lack the vision and foresight to realize that Africa is emerging into a new era, that Africans will no longer be denied the rights which are inalienably theirs, will not alter or reverse the course of history, but will only suffer the inevitable consequences of their refusal to accept reality.
Page 205
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