Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Iraq denounces US 'viper' in verse

Wednesday 18 October 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Baghdad (Reuter) - The Iraqi government's daily newspaper again attacked the US ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, yesterday, this time in English verse.

Iraq sees Ms Albright as the main force behind the United Nations sanctions, still in force against Iraq four years after the Gulf war. The Iraqi media often refer to her as "the viper".

A 15-stanza poem by the Iraqi poet Ghazay Dira al-Tai, published in al- Jumhouriya, advised Ms Albright: "Before you speak about Iraq, wash out your mouth."

The fourth stanza runs:

Albright,

your heart is black.

But love is white.

The facts are bright,

But you put off the light

In the middle of the night.

Albright,

You can't climb the Iraqi

palm

Because of its height.

Albright,

All you say about Iraq

Is not right.

Iraq is not the house of

dark,

It is the source of light.

The 10th stanza adds:

Albright,

Before you go to bed,

Remember that many thousands

Of Iraqi children will become

dead

Because of the blockade.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in