The Yugoslav representative to the League, Ivan Ribar, listened to the argument presented by his Iberian counterpart, and smiled at the weak echo expressed by the Italian delegate.
"My Iberian counterpart has raised a very valid issue; with great hauteur the Chinese Government has withdrawn from this assembly; and any response to a plea from such a nation would undoubtedly set a precedent. But I ask this body, if we turn our backs on the conflict that now spirals out of control and threatens to expand beyond the Korean Peninsula, do we not set a far greater precedent? A precedent in which we will ignore the deaths of how many thousands because of our collective pride? A precedent that would require a nation to grovel at our feet before we deign to recognize that it has been attacked and exposed to atrocities on a scale unseen since the Great War? If we are to set any precedent it should be to act collectively to seek to end conflict, bring about peace, and restore the lives of those whose very existence is threatened."
He paused before continuing, "My Iberian counterpart has duly noted that his Government would support a committee of investigation if invited by the Government of Chosen, which is a member in good standing of this body. I call upon the Government of Chosen to make that very invitation, and if that Government chooses not to do so, then let this body draw its own conclusions as to the truth or falsehood of any of the allegations made by either party."