Tag: haileselassie

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Italo-Ethiopian War

The Ethiopian Campaign of Liberation was an Epic Military Feat

DID YOU KNOW that the Ethiopian liberation campaign, personally led by Emperor Haile Selassie I and fought by Ethiopian and British forces against the Fascist aggressors, was an epic and heroic enterprise, which led to the defeat of an Italian army 20 times larger ? His Majesty clearly states about this:
“On comparing the number of our soldiers with that of the enemy we found that we had one soldier for every 20 of his.” (Selected Speeches p. 336)
Thus the same legendary proportions of the battle of Gaugamela were realized, where in the 4th century BC Alexander the Great astonishingly defeated the numerically superior Persian army and marked the greatest military feat in history. In order to highlight this prophetical parallel, His Majesty said:
“History records that military science enabled Alexander the Great to conquer a large part of the world, often engaging his 30,000 soldiers against the adversary’s 600,000.” (Selected Speeches p. 42). Because of his conversion to Jewish Faith, Alexander the Great is also venerated in Ethiopia as a Saint (Qeddus Eskender ቅዱስ፡እስክንድር).
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Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

The Fierce Lion Cub (1927)

“Our first meeting with the ruler of Prester John’s old Kingdom was most formal. We presented our credentials and he welcomed us to his country in a reserved – almost frigid manner. He was very much on his dignity. (…)

But Ras Tafari in his home was a different man from the regent we had called upon in the official reception hall. He was dignified always but he was also cordial and engaging host. (….)

We did not come really to know the ruler of Abyssinia until our fourth visit to his home. We had just returned to Addis from our first trek through the southern provinces. Ras Tafari was much interested in our trip (…)

We were having a tea in the large living room that afternoon and Fuertes showed him some paintings of the birds of Abyssinia, done in camp – but exceedingly well done. The Ras was much impressed, especially by one of a guinea-fowl, so much so, in fact, that he ordered an attendant to bring in a live guinea fowl. He compared the live bird to the picture and gasped at the resemblance (…)

Later, by way of diversion, a small lion cub was brought in and turned loose on the floor – to the great confusion of the Ras’s little brown dog that had been romping around the room. The lion was not more than two feet high but stalked about doing his best to imitate a full grown felis leo, growling and showing baby teeth threateningly. Tafari Makonnen was greatly amused at the cub’s attempt to be fierce. He caught up the baby lion and growling back at him hissed:

‘Tidlik ambassa kufanoo’, in a awed tone – fierce big lion – then added as an aside – ‘tinnish hyah’ – little ass.”

(Taken from “Savage Abyssinia”, James Baum, 1927)

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

N.S. Khrushchov, Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers – 1959

N.S. Khrushchov, Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers

Moscow, USSR
July 11 1959

“Your Imperial Majesty,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Comrades,

We have assembled here at a reception in honor of our Royal visitor, the Emperor of Ethiopia.

(…)

In your tour of our country you were certain to have noticed how deep – seated and sincere is that friendship and good will of the Soviet people for the people of Ethiopia. The friendship between our countries is known to have deep historical roots. But it is not just a matter of tradition. Soviet men and women respect the gallant people of Ethiopia, who for many decades were actually the only nation of Africa which had succeded in upholding the national freedom, and independence of its country in the fight against the colonialists.

They warmly sympathise with Ethiopia’s desire to make more extensive use of her natural wealth to develop her national economy. They think highly of Ethiopia’s foreign policy of peace based on the principles of Bandung.

Soviet men and women have a high personal esteem of Your Imperial Majesty as a man who, on ascending to the throne, did away with slavery in his country and carried out other reforms to develop the Ethiopian state.

The struggle of the Ethiopian people under your leadership against the Italian fascist aggressors aroused the admiration of our people, who had a high regard for the heroism of the sons of your country. They fought gallantly against the invader and upheld the national independence of their country. This is appreciated by the Soviet people especially highly because they too suffered an incursion by fascist hordes – German and Italian – and routed them in heroic struggle. The liberation struggle of our people against the fascist invader played a big part in bringing our countries closer together.

Soviet men and women are happy to welcome their Royal guests, who represent the independent countries of Africa, whose peoples are waging a struggle to root out completely the shameful colonial system…”

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

American Journalist and Hunter, James Baum – 1927

“There is little question that Tafari Makonnen is a humane man. Public hangings used to be the rule until recently. It was a common sight two of three years ago, to see the dried and rattling corpses of evil-doers swinging in the wind from a large wild fig tree in the market place in Addis. But the Regent has done away with such gruesome spectacles. And two persons – a man and a woman – who made an attempt upon his life a short time ago were not executed. Lidj-Yasu, the ex-ruler, deposed by Tafari for his flirtations with the Mohammedian church, was not put to death but is kept under guard in a outlying part of the country: Ras Tafari is more lenient than many other monarchs.

The power of the Regent is steadily increasing. (…) Ras Tafari, I believe, is trying to do away with the hereditary rulers of provinces and in some places a governor alien to the district has been appointed. (…) Again, it should be mentioned, Ras Tafari has one of the most difficult positions in the world.”

(Taken from “Savage Abyssinia”, James Baum, 1927)

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Italo-Ethiopian War More Speeches of Haile Selassie I

The Message of His Majesty for Liberty Magazine (Nov 9, 1935)

“CONQUERING LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
HAILE SELASSIE I
ELECT OF GOD, KING OF KINGS OF ETHIOPIA
For Liberty
In the conflict with Italy, Ethiopia is conscious of having fulfilled all the international obligations resulting from our special treaty with Italy, as well as from the multilateral treaties to which we are parties and which constitute the fundamental basis of public international law.
Notwithstanding the fact that our adversary who seeks to possess Ethiopia has frequently insulted her and called her a barbarous nation, Ethiopia has unceasingly prosecuted efforts to compel the fulfillment of international obligations by her reluctant opponent, and has observed throughout the conflict a policy of conciliation which has demonstrated our steadfast attachment to the cause of peace, despite the belligerent disposition, military preparations, and avowed intention of our neighbor to initiate a war of conquest.
Peace is indispensable to Ethiopia in order that our people may be conducted along the way of progress. We hope that the statesmen of the great nations who preside over the destinies of the world will not permit that an unjust and destructive war be waged in Ethiopia and undo all that has been done in recent years in the way of modernization.
But if war must be brought to us by one of the great nations, and with it the proof that the methods evolved and accepted by modern civilization to insure the peaceful settlement of international disputes and to prevent war may be disregarded with impunity by any nation when to do so serves its own selfish purpose, we are determined to defend our freedom and our territory and to sacrifice if necessary all our resources of human lives and property.”
(Published on “Liberty” US weekly Magazine, November 9 1935)
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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

EL MUNDO (Puerto Rico Newspaper) – W.K. Mayo, 28th of February 1967

EL MUNDO (Puerto Rico)
W.K. Mayo, 28th of February 1967 pag. 7
Translation from Spanish

“SELASSIE OF ETHIOPIA: EMPEROR AND KNIGHT

When few days ago, the Emperor of Ethiopia reached Washington in official visit, President Johnson has received him at the door of the White House, saying: ‘It is a great honor for me to receive the visit of a personality as honorable as Your Majesty’.

In the words of President Johnson there was not any emphasis of protocol, nor diplomatic flattery. They were spontaneously sincere.

Haile Selassie, the Lion of Judah, historical relic of a past that is lost in the legends’ mist – Solomon and the Queen of Sheba -, is today without doubt the world figure with the highest personal relevance.

In a time of democratization and republicanism, of industrial progress, of modernization, Haile Selassie, absolute king, is the keystone of a pre-historic feudal regime. And, despite this, all the world respects him.

Africa, since about 15 years, has been agitated by a tremendous revolution. Colonies have been liberated. There have been convulsions, uprisings, military coups, civil wars… Only Ethiopia remains calm, like an island in the middle of a rough sea.

In the last 25 years, the furious gale of history has swept away figures like Hitler and Mussolini, Victor Emmanuel and Faruk, Stalin and Krushev, Peron and Batista, Lumumba and Krumah … In turn, Haile Selassie continues unharmed upon his throne of Lion of Judah.

Why ? Because this weedy little man is temperamentally a giant.

In 1935-36, when all the world humiliated itself before Hitler and Mussolini, Haile Selassie accomplished the feat of confronting fascism.

(…)

He struggled with staffs and stones against a modernly equipped army… He seemed like a Don Quixote. And he was. A black Don Quixote.

He lost the battle, but won the war.

Haile Selassie is a memorable historic myth in this second half of the 20th century.

This was the meaning of the words of President Johnson, that he said few day ago, in the porch of the White House.

The United States also owes a special debt of gratitude to the Emperor of Ethiopia.

Although old, he was one of the few heads of state who came to Washington, in the mournful days of late November 1963, to attend the funeral of President Kennedy.

The funeral procession, from the Capitol to the Arlington cemetery, thanks to the TV, the whole world witnessed it. Haile Selassie was there.

Now, having finished his official duties, he came especially to New York to visit a certain person…

The newspapers published on the front page the photograph of Haile Selassie, received by Jacqueline Kennedy, at the door of her house, in the Fifth Street.

That an Emperor moves to pay a tribute to a lady, it reflects three things: the change of times, the caliber of the lady and the integrity of the visitor.

Haile Selassie, in addition to being the Lion of Judah, he is a great knight (gentleman).”

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Haile Selassie I - Teachings

It Is Better To Give Than To Receive

“Wise men have always known the deep and pervading truth that it is better to give than to receive, for even as it conflicts with selfish and ambitious desires, it moderates and controls them.”

QHS Selected Speeches p. 46

“It is better to give than to receive” is a precept of Iyesus Krstòs that is not written in His Gospels, but revealed by Saint Paul in the Acts of the Apostles (20:35), as he says: “to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”

Even if I egoistically desire pleasure and joy and success for myself, to give is more convenient than receive, cause it paves the way to actual satisfaction and reward from God and for eternity. Therefore, it always control selfish desire: it pervades and invades the space usually occupied by the wicked, cause if you really egoistically love yourself, then you serve the Living God and live, otherwise you die.

Our true happiness, wealth, power and pleasure is kept by God, not by the sinful ways of this world, and from Him we will receive. If the wicked played some illusory part about in the past, now his dominion is completely over with the coming of the Kingdom. Now, “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”, He conquered and freed the land occupied by the wicked (wordly flesh) and He is master above the spiritual as well as the material happiness and success of men.

 

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Haile Selassie I - Life and Works

JOINT COMMUNIQUE of HIM and J.F.KENNEDY – October 1963

JOINT COMMUNIQUE BY THE PRESIDENT AND HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY HAILE SELASSIE I, EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON OCTOBER 1-2, 1963.

“During the course of the State Visit of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, October 1 and 2, 1963, the Emperor and President John F. Kennedy discussed important aspects of world peace and economic progress, as well as African problems and aspirations in these vital areas. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the friendship which has for so long existed between Ethiopia and the United States, and reaffirmed their desire to continue closer cooperation and collaboration in fields of mutual interest.

Against the backdrop of the emergence of 28 new nations in Africa since the visit of the Emperor to the United States in 1954, the two leaders discussed current problems of the Continent. They reiterated their belief in the right of the still dependent territories to freedom and independence, and expressed the fervent hope that the final steps in the transition to freedom in Africa can be taken and implemented within the framework provided by the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity.

Noting the historical dedication of the Emperor to the principle of collective security, the President expressed particular appreciation of the significant contribution of Ethiopia to the establishment of unity and peace in the Congo. The Emperor and the President reaffirmed their faith in the United Nations, and deplored any action which would tend to weaken the Organization or the principles embodied in the Charter. The Emperor and the President also endorsed the principle of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity which called for ‘respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state and for its inalienable right to independent existence.’

The President assured the Emperor of the continuance of the interest of the United States in Ethiopia’s economic development and security. In separate discussions, officials of the two governments discussed various aspects of Ethiopia’s Five Year Plan and considered possible methods of financing the accomplishments of its programs. The United States agreed to examine Ethiopian requests for United States assistance for economic development projects and to give careful consideration to assistance in the financing of agreed projects by means of long-term loans.

The Emperor extended an invitation to the President to visit Ethiopia. The President indicated his appreciation and expressed his desire to arrange such a visit as soon as his schedule permitted.”

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies More Speeches of Haile Selassie I

Francis Ofner, The Christian Science Monitor, 1950

The Christian Science Monitor (US weekly magazine)
article by Francis Ofner
August 19, 1950

“HAILE SELASSIE: THREE PRIORITIES

EMPEROR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MORE EDUCATION, BETTER COMMUNICATIONS, AND FULL EMPLOYEMENT

Ethiopian peasants were standing at the roadside waiting for their Emperor to return from the inauguration of a bridge over the Blue Nile. My car followed closely that of Haile Selassie, and I saw simple, black farmers stop their ruler occasionally and hand him their written complaint and requests. The Emperor had no bodyguards, nor was his car protected by an armed escort.

This scene contained symbolically the main elements of Haile Selassie’s rule: development of the country, care for all the details of his administration, and popularity with his people. Few other rulers in the Middle East would or could have risked such a direct contact with their subjects.

‘I have three priorities in serving my country’, Haile Selassie said to me in an exclusive interview. ‘I first want to expand education. My second ambition is to develop communications. And the third – I wish to secure employment for all Ethiopians’. #QHS

These were no idle words. Ethiopia has been brought from its 1,600-year seclusion to active cooperation with the civilized nations of the world during the reign of Haile Selassie. He has established schools in areas where they never existed before. From less than 10 schools that were existing in Ethiopia when Haile Selassie, under the name of Ras Tafari, became Regent of Ethiopia 34 years ago, their number has increased to more than 400 with 55,000 pupils. In addition, the Emperor’s government is financing the studies of nearly 300 Ethiopian students in various foreign countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Haile Selassie also introduced airplanes into his country where mules have been the main means of transport. He consolidated the loosely connected feudal confederation of regional princes and kings into a centralized empire and, above all, he is abolishing slavery in this heart of Africa.

‘To develop Ethiopia, the country needs a foreign loan’, the monarch said. ‘A mission of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is here to investigate the possibilities for granting such a loan. But I have not yet been informed of its recommendations.’ #QHS

‘My people are able to pay back’, Haile Selassie said, explaining that his country is rich in mineral resources. #QHS

The Emperor has a blueprint of an economic five-year plan prepared by his foreign experts. The $25,000,000 loan asked for from the International Bank is needed to start the financing of this plan.

The interview took place in the green drawing room of Haile Selassie’s French-styled palace in the heart of Addis Ababa. No lion cubs have been in the room, as was the custom at this court not so long ago. There was only the Emperor’s private secretary, in cutaway and striped trousers. Haile Selassie wears a British general’s uniform.

‘The United Nations will have to recognize that Eritrea, this former Italian colony, should be returned to Ethiopia’, said the Emperor, switching to foreign affairs. ‘Except for the period of Italy’s invasion of East Africa, which started at the turn of the last century, Eritrea has always formed a part of Ethiopia. It would be only just and fair to return this province to its homeland.’ #QHS

Referring to his bitter experience with the defunct League of Nations 15 years ago, when the Italians invaded his country, Haile Selassie exclaimed: ‘The Eritrean question gives an opportunity to the United Nations to show proof that they administer world affairs better than the old League’. #QHS

Haile Selassie is one of the few rulers in this part of the world who expresses sympathy for Israel. ‘Ethiopia and Israel have the same ancestors and claim the same origin’, the Emperor said. ‘We are glad that after so many centuries of persecution the sons of Israel have regained their freedom, and justice has been rendered to them.’ Haile Selassie at the same time expressed hope that Israel’s government will assist Ethiopia in the question of Eritrea. #QHS

The Emperor’s sympathy for Israel does not change the fact that Ethiopia refuses to recognize Israel and that Egyptian influence in this country is considerable. Ethiopia and Egypt raised their legations to the rank of embassies last spring. An Egyptian-Ethiopian air agreement has also been signed. A group of 13 Egyptian newspapermen visited Ethiopia earlier this year. The catching of Arab votes for the UN discussion on Eritrea and the possibility of constructing dams on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, are both weighty reasons to keep Ethiopia close to Egypt.

Isolation has, for ages, been a brake on Ethiopia’s development and progress. Haile Selassie, determined to remove this arresting factor, brought his country to the world’s international arena long before Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia. As early as 1923, Ethiopia joined the League of Nations. It is a member of the United Nations. It has embassies in Washington, London, Paris, ministers accredited to the Soviet Union and nine other countries, and consular officials in nine more.

Haile Selassie is probably Ethiopia’s most hard-working man. He gets up regularly at 5 a.m., takes up state matters even before breakfast, which is at 8 a.m. From 9 a.m. till 1:15 p.m. he receives officials and visitors. At 4 p.m. he reenters his office and works until 8 p.m. After supper, the Emperor often works until late in the evening. He has two rest days weekly: Saturday and Sunday.

The 58-year-old Emperor speaks excellent French and good English. In 1916, under the name of Ras Tafari Makonnen, he was appointed by the Council of Great Chiefs of Mark to be ‘Regent to Empress Zauditu’. Following the passing of the Empress in 1930 he ascended the throne and adopted the name and title ‘Haile Selassie I, the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, King of Kings, Emperor of Ethiopia’. Belonging to the Coptic Christian Church, he does not have a ‘harem’, but only one wife, with whom, contrary to customs in most Middle Eastern countries, he appears in public.

When I was invited to the Imperial Palace, I was told by the Emperor’s private secretary to wear formal clothes and to bow three times when entering Haile Selassie’s room. At the entrance of the drawing room, white-clad servants with white gloves were standing in two rows. I was warned not to address Haile Selassie otherwise than ‘Your Imperial Majesty’.

All this may appear to a critical westerner as too much of a protocol and overpompousness. However, one should remember that in spite of strict observance of rigid formalities Haile Selassie’s court is one of the few in the world where the interests of a neglected and backward people are being incessantly fostered by an enlightened and great reformer.”

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Haile Selassie I - Laws and Government

A Short Biography of Hapte Selassie Tafesse

A Biography written and printed by SEED (Society of Ethiopians Established in Diaspora) in 2013.

“HAPTE-SELASSIE TAFESSE

Lij Hapte-Selassie Tafesse was born in the 1930 in Addis Ababa. Because of the Italian attempt of colonization in Ethiopia, Hapte-Selassie’s father left Ethiopia and fled to France and Hapte Selassie had to be separated from his family when he was only two years old, and was taken to Greece by a refugee Russian family. In Greece, he completed his elementary and pursued secondary education at Athens college. In 1947, Lij Hapte-Selassie came back to Ethiopia and rejoined with his family. Able to speak only Greek and Russian, he attended Teferi Mekonnen School for a year mainly to learn Amharic language.

After Italy left Ethiopia, Hapte-Selassie’s father became Ethiopia’s ambassador to Egypt which gave Hapte-Selassie an opportunity to travel to Alexandria and reunite with his father. There he attended Victoria College in 1950, where he also learnt French. In 1954, however, Hapte-Selassie left for the United States and entered Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and graduated with B.A. degree in International Relations and Government.

The then Emperor of Ethiopia, His Majesty Haile Selassie I, considering Hapte-Selassie’s gift of language, offered him a job as Assistant Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hapte-Selassie reached the limit of what can be done within his Department and he proposed that a special organ be set up to handle the little developed sector of tourism.

Soon he was transferred from the ministry of foreign affairs to an office under the prime minister’s office with no budget and staff to start his new assignment of establishing and running Ethiopian Tourist & Trading Organization. However, ETTO was formally decreed and with Hapte-Selassie’s sole effort, minimal budget was secured, appropriate office acquired and the necessary staff hired. Consequently, Hapte-Selassie was charged with inventing and organizing all aspects of the tourism industry in Ethiopia from the scratch.

In an effort to raise funds for the sector, Hapte-Selassie then introduced Duty Free Shops and with a personal borrowed money of 25,000 USD he went to Aden for shopping. Luck was with Hapte-Selassie, and all items were sold instantly and within short period of time the Duty Free Shop expanded and became one of the world’s leading duty free businesses and the international weekly magazine – Newsweek, featured it in a full page article as one of the world’s largest duty free enterprises.

Lij Hapte-Selassie’s innovative work continued in introducing the modern concept of tourism to Ethiopia and for creating an image of the country under the slogan ‘Land of 13 Months of Sunshine’. Similarly, he created operational mechanism, services, practices and institutions in the tourism industry such as Ethiopian Tourism Trading Corporation (ETTC), Tour and Travel Operation which created the present pioneer state owned (just privatized recently) tour operator, the present National Tour Operator (NTO), the first tourist class and tourist oriented hotels, the Catering and Tourist Training Institution (CTTI), and many more.

Not only this but Hapte-Selassie produced a range of international standard tourist literature covering all parts of all aspects of the country from taking pictures for posters, to organizing tours operated personally by himself.

In association with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, Lij Hapte-Selassie took part and played significant role in many national expos and exhibitions held in Addis Ababa, Asmara, Jimma, and elsewhere. Working as travel consultant, Lij Hapte-Selassie took part in the constant modernization and expansion of Ethiopian Airlines. He was also part of the inception and subsequently a member of the organizing commitee for the establishment of both ECA (Economic Commission of Africa) and OAU (Organization of African Unity, the present African Union, AU) in Addis Ababa.

Moreover, he also took Ethiopia and Ethiopian products to international expos in Canada (1967), Japan (1970), and Nairobi (1972) where he conceptualized, designed, constructed ideas and even financed expenses.

Working under the then Ethiopian Tourism Commission, he also played a role in the organization of the Gold Mercury Trade Fair Center and attended and participated in annual tourist trade fairs and conferences held in major cities around the world, such a Miami, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Sydney, France, Athens, Hong Kong, Spain, and others.

Working all this for his country however, Lij Hapte-Selassie was imprisoned in 1974 on 50 false criticisms and was released in 1982 only to continue the job he started.

Lij Hapte-Selassie started tourism industry when tourism was perceived by people as selling the country’s pride and name, and when there were no adequate tourist class hotels and service providers. With the massive improvements of infrastructure, roads, airports, hotels, resorts, communications in the country, which are very encouraging for the development of the industry, Lij Hapte Selassie, now age 81, wonders why tourism in Ethiopia hasn’t achieved at least one million tourists every year.

And that’s the reason why he doesn’t rest from immerging new innovative ideas, even in his pension. And this great man has plenty projects in mind to bring up his country’s reputation, and most recently he started designing quality neckties and scarves with features the country’s beauty paintings and alphabet to promote Ethiopian art in international level.

He is also trying to make Ethiopia host coffee carnival as a country which introduced coffee to the rest of the world which also will generate many tourist numbers.

This never resting man has the hobby of travelling, photographing, playing tennis and swimming and have been awarded on several occasions with medals, decorations, certificates from both past and present Ethiopian governments, and foreign governments for personal service, merit, and participation in major events.

In February 2011, Lij Hapte-Selassie is recognized as ‘the Father of Ethiopian Tourism’ by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Culture and Tourism. True, Lij Hapte-Selassie will always be remembered and respected by generations for his invaluable contributions to where the Ethiopian tourism sector is today.”

For further information, visit

www.hapte-selassie.com