in need of a prince

“The instant I stopped, Vishinsky was on his feet. His face was red and rage churned in his words. He began without preamble and without waiting for the chair to recognize him: “This small man Romulo with the big cvoice who spreads noise wherever he goes … who represents an insignificant country like the Philippines and dares attack Russia … he reminds me of a Russian proverb … his ambition is worth a ruble while his ammunition is only worth a cent.”

So when Vishinsky paused for breath, I was on my feet. “Mr. President?” I was very meek.

Spaak recognized me with a twinkle in his eye, and as I made my way to the podium I felt the stillness of the audience.

“Mr. President, ” I began, still meekly, “since boyhood I have known the story of David and Goliath. We have been treated to his usual personal vitriolics by the distinguished Foreign Minister of Soviet Russia, Mr. Vishinsky. As I know none of us in the Assembly are interested in personalities I am not concerned we are not present as persons but as representatives of governments. But, Mr. President, I am concerned with what has been said about my country, because while my country occupies what may be only a humble place in the United Nations I believe it to be a place of honor.”

At this point I was interrupted by applause from many of my fellow delegates. I paused, and looked very hard at Vishinsky.

“And I would like to remind Mr. Vishinsky,” I went on, “that we — the small Davids — are here to fling our pebbles of truth between the eyes of all the blustering Goliaths and make them behave!”

I added, “And as to my ambition being worth ruble while my ammunition is worth only a cent, may I also remind Mr. Vishinsky that with the present rate of exchange the cent is worth more than the ruble?”

From that time on, Mr. Vishinsky never open his mouth in the United Nations against the “insignificant” nations nor against me.” Carlos P. Romulo, I Walked with Heroes (via keinessish)

(via my-sweet-sansrival)