Russian firebrand raps for Iraq

Russian firebrand raps for Iraq

Zhirinovsky "would prefer Georgia as a target"

Flamboyant Russian ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, renowned for his controversial views on Iraq, has had his words turned into an anti-war rap song.

The song, titled "Don't you dare go shooting at Baghdad", is being launched on the internet, according to the Russian television station TVS.

It contains extracts of alleged taped utterances during a recent visit to Baghdad, in which Mr Zhirinovsky used unprintable language to describe the United States and President George W Bush.

Don't you dare go shooting at Baghdad
They'll take everything apart
Better together *** at Tbilisi
Don't you dare go shooting at Baghdad
Better together *** at Tbilisi
They'll take everything apart
People here like their president
You're despised, you're despised

"Vladimir Zhirinovsky" rap song

The voice on the tape, which Mr Zhirinovsky has denied is his own, uses expletives to suggest making Tbilisi, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a target instead.

The politician, who leads the oddly named Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, has had a reputation for fiery rhetoric since he appeared on the political scene as a presidential candidate in 1991.

But his political fortunes have been modest since successes in parliamentary elections in 1993 and he is generally perceived as a buffoon.

He is famous for acknowledging that he dreams of a day "when Russian soldiers can wash their boots in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean", and his rhetoric has frequently targeted non-Russian peoples of the Caucasus.

Saddam Hussein figures high among his friends in the international community - members of his youth movement went to Baghdad to show solidarity during the 1991 Gulf War.

He has also threatened a confrontation with the US in the Persian Gulf.

The rap song dubs the words said to be Mr Zhirinovsky's utterances over a dance beat.

It remains to be seen whether it will imitate the success of Russian teenage pop duo Tatu, who have spent the past four weeks at number one in the UK charts.