Baudouin of Belgium

“ They will have to teach the Congolese people that independence is not achieved through immediate pleasure gratification, but through work, through respect for the freedom of others and the rights of the minority, through tolerance and through order without which no democratic regime can survive. ”

“ Africa and Europe are mutually complementary and have been called together to the most brilliant development. Congo and Belgium can play a first-class role through constructive and fruitful cooperation, in mutual trust. Gentlemen, The eyes of the whole world are on you. ”

“ An increasing number of qualified workers in agriculture, industry, crafts, commerce, administration, are beginning to introduce into all walks of life the individual emancipation that is the real basis of every civilization. We are pleased that in this way we have given Congo — despite its greatest difficulties — the indispensable resources that lie at the foundation of a country on the road to development. ”

“ From the start, Congo has opened its borders to international trade, without Belgium ever exercising an exclusive right focused solely on its own interests. Congo has been given railways, all kinds of sea and air lines, which, by connecting your populations with each other, have promoted their unity and expanded the countries to the world. A medical service, which was set up several decades early, has been patiently organized and has delivered you from many devastating illnesses. Numerous and remarkably well-equipped hospitals have been built. Agriculture has been improved and modernized. ”

“ Caring for the scientific work that constitutes an invaluable intellectual heritage for you. Do not forget that a serene and independent justice system is an element of social peace; the guarantee of respect for the right of all provides a state with great moral authority in international public opinion. ”

“ The greatest dangers that threaten you are: the inexperience of the populations to govern themselves, the tribal quarrels that have caused so much evil in the past and cannot start again at any cost, the attraction that foreign superpowers can exert in certain regions, ready to take advantage of the slightest sign of weakness. ”

“ Today we therefore return to your hands the administrative, economic, technical and social services, as well as the judicial organization, without which a modern state is not viable. The Belgian representatives are ready to lend you a loyal and open cooperation. Your task is immense and you are the first to realize it. ”

“ Thanks to the missionary schools, as well as those who established the public powers, basic education has expanded considerably; an intellectual elite is forming, and your universities will grow rapidly. ”

“ Major cities have been built, and throughout the country, living conditions and hygiene are showing remarkable progress. Industrial companies have done justice to the natural resources of the soil. The expansion of economic activity has been significant; it has increased the prosperity of your population and has given the country the technicians indispensable to its development. ”