ANTI-BUSH POEM EPITOMIZES CURRENT SAUDI PUBLIC MOOD

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 006520 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SCUL SA SUBJECT: ANTI-BUSH POEM EPITOMIZES CURRENT SAUDI PUBLIC MOOD Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) BACKGROUND: Poetry runs in the blood of the Saudi people. They have historically utilized poetry to express public opinion over social, political, and cultural issues. They also use poetry to curry favor with their rulers, local and regional, as well as share their criticisms in an open forum. Throughout the history of Saudi Arabia, there have typically been two categories of poets: (1) al-Madih, poets specializing in tributes and praise, and (2) al-Hija, poets specializing in satire and critique. In light of recent events, more poets from the al-Hija than the al-Madih category are publishing their work, airing their grievances about regional events. Saudi culture and custom allow poets greater latitude and frankness than that accorded to political commentators or critics, due to poets' greater prestige and traditional status as spokesmen for popular opinion and speakers of "truth" to the elite. END BACKGROUND. ¶2. (C) On August 13, columnist Saad Al Bawardi published a poem entitled "Letter to Bush" in Al-Jazeerah newspaper, which condemns the U.S. President and U.S. foreign policy regarding Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq. Using strong rhetoric and metaphor, he expressed the anger and frustration currently felt by many Saudis toward the Bush administration. Al-Jazeera journalists told Riyadh contacts that their newspaper is receiving many angry letters voicing opposition to the U.S., but due to space constraints, they are able to publish very few. This poem is noteworthy as it was the first one of its kind published in a mainstream newspaper since the start of the Lebanon crisis. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: In classical Arabic poetry, there are fixed rules for couplets and rhyme. This poem, however, is written in a more modern style influenced by western free verse, although it is still filled with much sophisticated rhyming and alliteration. While the poem is not violent in tone, its message is harsh and reflects the increasing criticism by the Saudi people of U.S. policies in the region. Due to the inherent constraints encountered in translating literary verse from Arabic to English, the following translation is an approximation of the original text. END COMMENT. ¶4. (U) BEGIN TRANSLATED TEXT OF POEM: Sorry if I have exceeded my limits And asked you for a response Is the one who asks for a "right" a "terrorist?" Does Palestine-- the occupied land Have no people or freedom? Do those who immigrated to it from Poland, Russia or America Have the legitimate right to the land? The legitimate right to expel the inhabitants of the land As if they were red Indians? Chased and driven out with malignity and fiery clusters of anger From their land Torn apart and divided To dilute the case of having a "right?" *** You promised the people of the Middle East of freedom What freedom? And for Whom? Freedom of the herdsman? Or the right of the herd? A creative freedom of chaos? Bush, Is there a code of ethics for chaos? Or is chaos but oppression and coffins? Ask the Statue of Liberty in New York If it would answer you It would have answered in anger and wailing (Freedom is not built by injustice and skulls Freedom would never be justly served by a tyrant) *** Bush Weapons of mass destruction that never existed Was your excuse for invading the land of Iraq To destroy Iraq You left in it thousands of corpses, pain and divisions Bodies torn by white phosphorous If not plagued by cancerous diseases... Tens of deaths every day And your soldiers around the dead smiling And your soldiers torturing What freedom do you speak of? *** In Lebanon your stupid dummy (Israel) Took over the matter while you are the actor Thousands upon thousands of missiles Of bombs Thrown by Israel with the hatred of killers Leaving no stones no trees No people or animals Even the roads for those who want to run for safety Were destroyed and were not saved From the tyranny of the occupier...nor longer There are any roads Those who want to flee would only die *** You did not do justice to a free and democratic Lebanon You didn't have mercy on Lebanon of the varied denomination and religions You left the summer wind of death blowing in Lebanon You were the one who gave the orders But not the one who ordered the killing to stop What did you give since you came? Our big world is oppressed...scared You said big exaggerated words: "If you are not with us you are against us" Which terrorist should be crushed? Is the whole world a terrorist but you? Bush, you are not an infallible prophet? You have money, you have influence and you have power But you don't have the Rightness You don't follow the Truth Let the other live without your guardianship We know that the UN has become American Rice is hers Bolton orders and he gets answered Bush, things will not stay the same There isn't in the dictionary of freedom A herdsman and a herd! END TRANSLATED TEXT. OBERWETTER