Selection Source: The New Human Revolution, Volume 7: Chapter 4 At
the Helm (17), World Tribune, June 2, 2000, pg. 9
When the politician finished, Shin’ichi Yamamoto smiled, but said
firmly: “I understand what you are saying, and I respect the views
of you and your colleagues. Let’s just forget about my meeting with
President Kennedy. I will cancel it entirely. I’ll wait another
opportunity presents itself.”
The politician was taken aback. He had obviously never expected
such a reply.
“Cancel the meeting?” he exclaimed. “But… if you do that, you’ll
lose such a wonderful opportunity…”
Shin’ichi broke in: “I haven’t the slightest intention of calling
on the help of you and your colleagues to meet President Kennedy.
It would change the whole meaning of why I was going to see him in
the first place.”
“Furthermore, I have never for a moment cherished the base idea of
boosting my prestige by meeting with the U.S. president. That may
be the way politicians think, but you are grossly mistaken in
assuming the same about me.”
“I wanted to meet with President Kennedy out of a desire to generate
a tide toward peace for all humanity and to open a path of dialogue
between the Eastern and Western blocs. I believe this is also in
the interests of Japan.”
“The Soka Gakkai has always acted wholeheartedly, with the purest
motives for the happiness of the people, the prosperity of society
and the peace of the world. It does not tolerate self-serving
political bartering.”
“To sincerity, I respond with even greater sincerity. To arrogance,
I respond with strength. Against evil and injustice, I fight armed
with truth. This is my creed and my conviction.”
Sweat trickled down the Diet member’s face. As he mopped it up with
a handkerchief, he tried to mask his confusion with feigned
generosity.
