JAH WISE EQUALITY

Haile Selassie I ....

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Selected Speeches ....

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Chapter III ....

Inter-Africa ....

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Speech To O.A.U. On ....Rhodesia.... Jul. 07, 1966 ....

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On Our own behalf and that of the government and people of Ethiopia, We would like to extend a hearty welcome to Addis Ababa to all members of the Delegations who are here to attend the Sixth Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity. There is no need for Us to tell you that you should feel very much at home in a brotherly country.You are meeting today in this very Hall which give birth to the Organization of African Unity barely two and half years ago in order to consider and find solution to the Southern Rhodesian situation which has posed a grave challenge not only to the Organization of African Unity but also to the independence of Our individual States and indeed to the national Liberation Movements of Angola, Mozambique, South-West Africa, South Africa, etc.In view of this, your main taks will be to discuss ways and means of how to implement the provisions of the Resolution which was passed by the recent ....Accra.... Summit Conference of the Organization of African Unity. We have already made it clear that if decided upon jointly with other African States ....Ethiopia.... is prepared to undertake whatever sacrifices are required. The Unilateral Declaration of ....Independence.... which was announced by a racist white settler governement on November 11, 1965 , though expected, had shocked and terrified freedom-loving humanity. That four million Africans should be condemned to servitude by illegal seizure of power by a rebel premier, is one of the wicked aspects of colonialism and imperialism. Although the situation in Southern Rhodesia has become a matter of serious concern to all peoples, We should not lose sight of the fact that the oppression and suffering of the four million Africans in Southern Rhodesia is in particular offensive to the dignity of ..Africa.. .The United Kingdom Government which has constitutional responsibility to lead the colony of Rhodesia to majority rule, except for a declaration to apply sanctions, has so far failed to put down the rebellion in Rhodesia and restore law and order in that strife-torn country.The United Kingdom Government which has constitutional responsibility to lead the colony of Rhodesia to majority rule, except for a declaration to apply sanctions, has so far failed to put down the rebellion in Rhodesia and restore law and order in that strife-torn country.The recent Resolution passed by the Security Council of the United Nations recommending economic sanctions against Rhodesia even though it did not satisfy African demands should be fully supported and implemented to quell the rebellion which has clearly been established as threatening international peace and security. We hope that the measures so far taken will have the effect of making this illegal government realize that the policy that they have embarked on will only lead to disaster and make them reconsider their untenable position and resort to the way of sanity and reason. ....