Tag: haileselassie

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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

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Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

The Library of Enrico Cerulli

“I had travelled to Ethiopia via Rome and had visited Enrico Cerulli (born 1898), the greatest living master of Ethiopian studies, scholar, diplomat, and proconsul. In that last capacity he had been Vice-Governor General of Ethiopia during two years of the short-lived Fascist occupation. (…) He was then (and, for that matter, has remained ever since) one of the very few foreigners to possess a fluent command of Amharic. When I was received by the Emperor during my 1958 visit, one of his first questions was about Cerulli. In fact, this was the occasion of a royal repartee which I remember very clearly. His Majesty had asked me about my library of Ethiopian books; I told him that it was quite good but could not compare with Cerulli’s splendid collection. ‘Ah’, he replied, ‘but you have bought your books !’ (irso gin matsahifton baganzab gaztawal – in the rather more telling Amharic original).”

(Taken from “The Two Zions”, E.Ullendorff, Oxford 1988, p. 202-203)

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Haile Selassie I - Testimonies

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the U.S. President F.D.Roosevelt – 1954

New York – Friday, May 29 1954

“This country is happy to be visited by the courageous Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, and to entertain him as an honored guest.

Older people will remember his passionate plea to the League of Nations for the protection of his country against the invading Italian forces in 1935. And it will also be remembered that Ethiopia sent its contingent of soldiers to Korea. The Ethiopians were among the finest groups of soldiers who visited the United Nations General Assembly in Paris in 1951 to be congratulated by that body for their services in Korea.

In my short address to them at that time, I quoted from a speech made to them by Emperor Haile Selassie when they left for the front. It was one of the finest statements I had read of the purpose for which the U.N. was fighting in Korea, and it held high standards up for these soldiers to live by.

I hope those who greet the Emperor here will remember the fine record of his soldiers in Korea, when they fought side by side with our own men.

Ethiopia is largely a Christian country, with religious traditions going back to the earliest days of Christianity. Our citizens will be anxious to learn more of conditions in the Emperor’s country and of the ways in which our two countries can cooperate for the improvement of world conditions.”

Hyde Park – Tuesday 2nd June 1954

“On Sunday morning we had the pleasure of having the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia visit us here at Hyde Park. He laid a wreath on my husband’s grave, then paid a short visit to the home and the Memorial Library. He was much interested in my husband’s variety of interests, looked at the model ships and went through the stacks where papers and books are kept.

He reached my cottage just at 1 o’clock, when the recording of his appearanee on the television program, “Youth Wants to Know,” was shown. The young people had asked him many questions and he had answered them willingly and cordially. Naturally, he wanted to see and hear the recording as it was going out over the country, so for half an hour we watched television.

Since his schedule required him to be in New York City by 4:30, he had to leave here between 2:15 and 2:30. You can imagine that a buffet lunch served to 40 persons in three-quarters of an hour is rather hurried! But I think several people had a chance to talk to the Emperor while he ate; and I had a few minutes of conversation with him quietly before he left. (…)

I found the Emperor a most delightful person. His son is very unassuming and charming, and so is his granddaughter. In fact, I have rarely had a more enjoyable official party here. Though they were hurried, they behaved as though everything was just the way they wished it to be, and I hope they will carry away pleasant memories of their short time with us.”

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Haile Selassie I - Teachings

I&I Should Be Proud in Spirit

“If you keep the pledge you gave to your country and Your Emperor, you will be proud in spirit. A man who is proud in spirit will always have confidence in himself and his conscience will not reprimand him.” #QHS

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Haile Selassie I - Teachings

Education must be the Principal

“The general happiness of mankind today is rather scant and insecure; but We should have to live and do Our best to ameliorate it. Education of the youth is the surest guarantee of a better life. Therefore, among the many projects undertaken for the welfare and prosperity of Ethiopia, We have planned that education be the principal. Many foreign teachers have been brought in to feed the youth like a gardener feeds his plants with fresh water.” #QHS

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Haile Selassie I - Anecdotes

The Age of the World

“One evening at the dinner table a conversation was going on in French between some of the guests. Suddenly the Emperor turned to me and asked, ‘What do you believe? How old is the world?’ #QHS

‘If we are to believe the Bible,” I said, “it is about six thousand years old.’

‘Impossible,’ someone spoke up. ‘It is at least six million years old.’ This person attempted to explain how scientists had discovered certain animals in artic regions and how they reasoned that the world must be millions of years old to allow time for all the changes in the earth to come about.

‘To me it is not a question that concerns my salvation,’ I replied ‘and I never argue with anyone as to how old the earth is.’

The Emperor agreed at once, saying, ‘That is true. Salvation is sure, and these things really do not matter.‘ #QHS

(Taken from: “For God and Emperor”, Herbert and Della Hanson, 1958, page 150)