R4, 6.12.18
Let’s get this clear, he is saying
we supply arms to Saudi Arabia with one hand
and support the humanitarian crisis in Yemen with the other;
the female interviewer isn’t clear
as he claims ‘our position’ is being misrepresented
and none of us listening are either
(what kind of clarity is this ?
A mask for sheer hypocrisy ?
Surely not with his silver-tongued tone
Surely is—)
She persists: sometimes the military are operating
at the same time, in the room next door !
(a perfect metaphor—)
He deflects. She presses him
‘So are you really comfortable with Britain’s
relationship with Saudi Arabia ?’
‘Oh yes perfectly’, he replies
as if he really means it
as if his job doesn’t depend on it
to tow the government line like a good boy…
Does he really think he can pull the wool
over anybody’s thinking mind and eyes ?
Send him to Yemen
with the ghost of Jamal Khashoggi by his side,
to where the truth just cannot compromise.
Jay Ramsay
6.12.18
Dragonfly Cottage