23 JUNE 1967, Page 3

Arms and the man

CHRISTOPHER HOLLIS

It is reported that the Syrian government is proposing to ask for financial assistance to enable it to pay for its Russian-supplied arms.

The Syrian came down like a wolf on the fold, His troops armed with weapons the Russians had sold.

They were either not told or perhaps had forgotten That the guns were all old and the rifles were rotten.

In a day and a half they decided to flee When the rockets flared brightly o'er deep Galilee.

They abandoned their tanks on the Road to Damascus.

Now they won't sell us oil, but are planning to ask us, If we'd kindly advance them a large grant in aid for The Russian-equipment they haven't yet paid for.