Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, 1918-1967

On the occasion of the opening of the fourth regular session of the General Assembly, We desire to convey to you Our earnest wishes for success in your important deliberations. We have no doubt that for these vital issues, on which depend the destiny of millions of human beings, you will endeavour to find just and equitable solutions. Among these and still long outstanding, is the settlement of the former Italian colonies. Needless to say that further delay to settle the question of the return of Eritrea and Somaliland to Ethiopia will not enhance the confidence of the peoples of the world and of these territories in particular. Time and again, it has been clearly demonstrated that these provinces formed an integral part of Ethiopia but were torn away from her by forces of aggression. The fact that these provinces once cut off from their Motherland could not lead an independent existence is unquestionable. Consequently, further delay will be of no help but will contribute to the deterioration of situations that have long been in great need of assistance. We trust that you will not fail to reach a just solution to enable the people of these provinces to rejoin the Motherland, Ethiopia, in the light of the long delayed fulfilment of the aspirations that have remained unchanged throughout sixty long years of enemy occupation and also in justification of the great sacrifices during the last World War by the Ethiopian and Allied forces for their liberation and well-being which otherwise would have been made in vain. We pray that the Almighty God enlightens you in this important decision.

September 20, 1949.

Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

U.N. AND WAR SETTLEMENT