The following are some excerpts of the interview which Oriana Fallaci conducted in June 1972, with Emperor Haile Selassie, Lion of Judah, King of Kings, Elect of God, Power of the Trinity, in His Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, I would like you to tell me something about yourself. Tell me were you ever a disobedient youth? But maybe I ought to ask you first whether you have ever had time to be young, Your Majesty?
Haile-Selassie: We don’t understand that question. What kind of question is that? It is obvious that We have been young. We weren’t born old! We have been a child, a boy, a youth, an adult, and finally an old man. Like everyone else. Our Lord the Creator made us like everyone else. Maybe you wish to know what kind of youth We were. Well We were a very serious, very diligent, very obedient youth. We were sometimes punished, but do you know why? Because what We were made to study did not seem enough and We wished to study further. We wanted to stay on at school after lessons were over. We were loath to amuse ourselves, to go riding, to play. We didn’t want to waste time on games.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, of all the monarchs still occupying the thrones you are the one that has ruled the longest. Moreover, in all age that has seen the ruinous downfalls of so many kings, you are the one the only absolute monarchy. Do you ever feel lonely in a world so different from the one you grew up in?
Haile-Selassie: It is our opinion that the world hasn’t changed at all. We believe that such changes have modified nothing. We don’t ever notice any differences between monarchies and republics. To us they appear two substantially similar methods of governing the nation. Well, tell us,: What is the difference between a republic and a monarchy?
Fallaci: Actually, your Majesty, I mean to me, it appears that in republics where democracy reigns the leader is elected. But in monarchies he isn’t.
Haile-Selassie: We don’t see where the difference lies.
Fallaci: Never mind, Your Majesty. What is your opinion of democracy?
Haile-Selassie: Democracy, republics: What do these words signify? What have they changed in the world? Have men become better, more loyal, kinder? Are the people happier? All goes on as before, as always. Illusions, illusions. Besides, one should consider the interest of a nation before subverting it with words. Democracy is necessary in some cases and We believe some African peoples might adopt it. But in other cases it is harmful, a mistake.
Fallaci: Your Majesty have you ever regretted your Kingly fate? Have you ever dreamed of living the life of an ordinary mortal?
Haile-Selassie: We don’t understand that question. Even at the hardest, most painful moments, We have never regretted or cursed our fate. Never. And why should We have? We were born of royal blood, authority is ours by Right and since our Lord the Creator has deemed, We might serve our people as a Father serves his Son, being a monarch is a great joy to us. Its what We were born for and what We have always lived for.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, you are Ethiopia. Its you that keeps it in hand, that keeps it united. What will happen when you are no longer there?
Haile-Selassie: What do you mean? We do not understand this question?
Fallaci: When you die, Your Majesty?
Haile-Selassie: Ethiopia has existed for 3,000 years. In fact, it exists ever since the first man appeared on Earth. My dynasty has ruled since the Queen of Sheba met King Solomon and a Son was born of their union. It is a Dynasty that has gone through the centuries and will go on for centuries more. A King is not indispensable, and, besides, my succession is already ensured. There is a Crown Prince and he will rule the country when We are no longer there. This is what We have decided and so it must be.
Fallaci: On the whole, your Majesty, yours has not been a very a happy life. Those you loved have all died: your wife, two daughters. You have lost many of your illusions and many of your dreams. But you must, I imagine, have accumulated great wisdom, and of this I ask: How does Haile Selassie view death?
Haile-Selassie: What? View What?
Fallaci: Death your Majesty.
Haile-Selassie: Death, Death? Who is this woman? Where does she come from? What does she want? Enough go away, ca suffit! Ca suffit!!
I guess since Orwell has already been mentioned I'd have to say probably Robert Fisk and also Patrick Cockburn but I'm sure there are others who I would respect. Journalists and reporters sometimes put themselves at great risk and don't always get alot of recognition, not that that is the reason they do what they do. Oh, I almost forgot John Pilger, he was a journalist for some time, not sure he still is.
In the 1970s when working in London, a workmate used to give me his copy of Tribune. Chris Mullin was the editor at the time. I used to like reading Hugh Macpherson’s column. He was hated by the Labour leadership as he wrote with integrity and on occasion with real venom. Because of the quality of his work he was worth reading even when you didn’t share his views.
Durruti's interview with
Durruti's interview with Pierre van Passen, John Reed's stuff on Mexico, some of Orwell's articles.
The following are some
The following are some excerpts of the interview which Oriana Fallaci conducted in June 1972, with Emperor Haile Selassie, Lion of Judah, King of Kings, Elect of God, Power of the Trinity, in His Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, I would like you to tell me something about yourself. Tell me were you ever a disobedient youth? But maybe I ought to ask you first whether you have ever had time to be young, Your Majesty?
Haile-Selassie: We don’t understand that question. What kind of question is that? It is obvious that We have been young. We weren’t born old! We have been a child, a boy, a youth, an adult, and finally an old man. Like everyone else. Our Lord the Creator made us like everyone else. Maybe you wish to know what kind of youth We were. Well We were a very serious, very diligent, very obedient youth. We were sometimes punished, but do you know why? Because what We were made to study did not seem enough and We wished to study further. We wanted to stay on at school after lessons were over. We were loath to amuse ourselves, to go riding, to play. We didn’t want to waste time on games.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, of all the monarchs still occupying the thrones you are the one that has ruled the longest. Moreover, in all age that has seen the ruinous downfalls of so many kings, you are the one the only absolute monarchy. Do you ever feel lonely in a world so different from the one you grew up in?
Haile-Selassie: It is our opinion that the world hasn’t changed at all. We believe that such changes have modified nothing. We don’t ever notice any differences between monarchies and republics. To us they appear two substantially similar methods of governing the nation. Well, tell us,: What is the difference between a republic and a monarchy?
Fallaci: Actually, your Majesty, I mean to me, it appears that in republics where democracy reigns the leader is elected. But in monarchies he isn’t.
Haile-Selassie: We don’t see where the difference lies.
Fallaci: Never mind, Your Majesty. What is your opinion of democracy?
Haile-Selassie: Democracy, republics: What do these words signify? What have they changed in the world? Have men become better, more loyal, kinder? Are the people happier? All goes on as before, as always. Illusions, illusions. Besides, one should consider the interest of a nation before subverting it with words. Democracy is necessary in some cases and We believe some African peoples might adopt it. But in other cases it is harmful, a mistake.
Fallaci: Your Majesty have you ever regretted your Kingly fate? Have you ever dreamed of living the life of an ordinary mortal?
Haile-Selassie: We don’t understand that question. Even at the hardest, most painful moments, We have never regretted or cursed our fate. Never. And why should We have? We were born of royal blood, authority is ours by Right and since our Lord the Creator has deemed, We might serve our people as a Father serves his Son, being a monarch is a great joy to us. Its what We were born for and what We have always lived for.
Fallaci: Your Majesty, you are Ethiopia. Its you that keeps it in hand, that keeps it united. What will happen when you are no longer there?
Haile-Selassie: What do you mean? We do not understand this question?
Fallaci: When you die, Your Majesty?
Haile-Selassie: Ethiopia has existed for 3,000 years. In fact, it exists ever since the first man appeared on Earth. My dynasty has ruled since the Queen of Sheba met King Solomon and a Son was born of their union. It is a Dynasty that has gone through the centuries and will go on for centuries more. A King is not indispensable, and, besides, my succession is already ensured. There is a Crown Prince and he will rule the country when We are no longer there. This is what We have decided and so it must be.
Fallaci: On the whole, your Majesty, yours has not been a very a happy life. Those you loved have all died: your wife, two daughters. You have lost many of your illusions and many of your dreams. But you must, I imagine, have accumulated great wisdom, and of this I ask: How does Haile Selassie view death?
Haile-Selassie: What? View What?
Fallaci: Death your Majesty.
Haile-Selassie: Death, Death? Who is this woman? Where does she come from? What does she want? Enough go away, ca suffit! Ca suffit!!
I guess since Orwell has
I guess since Orwell has already been mentioned I'd have to say probably Robert Fisk and also Patrick Cockburn but I'm sure there are others who I would respect. Journalists and reporters sometimes put themselves at great risk and don't always get alot of recognition, not that that is the reason they do what they do. Oh, I almost forgot John Pilger, he was a journalist for some time, not sure he still is.
In the 1970s when working in
In the 1970s when working in London, a workmate used to give me his copy of Tribune. Chris Mullin was the editor at the time. I used to like reading Hugh Macpherson’s column. He was hated by the Labour leadership as he wrote with integrity and on occasion with real venom. Because of the quality of his work he was worth reading even when you didn’t share his views.
I admire Adrian Nicole
I admire Adrian Nicole LeBlanc and Hunter S. Thompson. I want to like Will Self's writing, I'll read it with a dictionary one day. :)