Long before the wind of change started to waft over Africa with such telling effect. His
Imperial Majesty had sown the seeds of African liberation. Ethiopia's struggle against
colonialism and aggression constitutes not only the first chapter in the history of Africa's
liberation, it was a beacon and a symbol to those who later joined the ranks to African
freedom fighters.
His Majesty the Emperor has evinced his sustaining interest in Africa's peace, progress and
prosperity. In inter-African affairs he will go down as the father of the Organization of
African Unity. For in both the convening of the historic Summit of 1963 and the signing of
the OAU Charter he played a decisive role.
If Addis Ababa has become the Geneva of Africa, it is primarily because of His Imperial
Majesty's unflagging efforts to see that Africa prepares for and merits her rightful place
within the councils of the world. These selected speeches tell the story.
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War Settlement and Italy's Return
Feb. 23, 1948
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At the various meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers in London and Paris and of their
deputies as well at the Peace Conference through Our Delegates, We have set forth to the world the
position of Ethiopia in regard to the return to Ethiopia of territories taken from her by Italian
aggression. As first victim of Axis aggression in Europe and the first of the United Nations to be
liberated, Ethiopia feels justified in declaring as she has already declared at the Paris Peace
Conference, that any return of Italy to such territories would constitute ratification of three
aggressions and an act of international injustice. It should be understandable that Ethiopia cannot
possibly countenance any return of Italy to such territories other than as a direct and instant threat
to one of the United Nations. We are confident that the world will readily understand that the
security of Ethiopia would be completely compromised if those territories which had three times
served as bases of aggression against her were to remain as such in the future. We have further
pointed out that an impovershed Italy who seeks and who continued to receive foreign financial
and other assistance at the same time seeks to regain territories in an attempt to launch a fourth
invasion of Ethiopia, thanks to such foreign assistance. The case of Ethiopia is clear and requires
no further statement. Ethiopia has fought for more than a decade for justice. It is time that she
received it......
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Haile Selassie the First - February 23, 1948
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