Tributes have poured in for former United States (US) President George H W Bush, who died on Friday.
Donald Trump, the current US President, led the tributes, lauding Bush for his “essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country.”
Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush
Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/qxPsp4Ggs7
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Bush, in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War, made the world a safer place for generations to come.
“Today Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country. We send our deepest condolences to the American people and to the family he leaves behind,” May said in a statement.
President Bush was a true friend to the UK and the trusted counterpart and confidant of two Prime Ministers. His statesmanship, wisdom and friendship will be much missed and today we send our deepest condolences to his family and to the American people.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) 1 December 2018
Queen Elizabeth said he was “a great friend and ally” of the United Kingdom
Former US President Bill Clinton said he and former First Lady Hillary Clinton “give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship”.
“I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my life’s greatest gifts,” Bill Clinton said on Twitter.
Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H. W. Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship. I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my life’s greatest gifts. https://t.co/1CYdrIeKmz
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) 1 December 2018
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev hailed Bush’s contribution to ending the Cold War and reducing nuclear weapons.
“I pay tribute to George Bush’s contribution towards this historic achievement. He was a genuine partner,” Gorbachev said.
Both men signed the first Start treaty in 1991, which led to big cuts in long-range nuclear weapons.
Bush entered politics in 1964 after starting a Texan oil business and becoming a millionaire by the age of 40.
During World War Two, he was an aviator before being shot down by the Japanese in September 1944 while on a bombing raid.
Following his honourable discharge from the navy in 1945, Bush married then 18-year-old Barbara Pierce.
Their marriage would last 73 years and they would have six children together.
Bush Sr’s single presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy – the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
He was instrumental in building the international military coalition that forced Iraq’s Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.
Bush became president after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan, but he suffered the ignominy of becoming a single-term president – defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1992 election amid a weakening economy.
His famous 1988 campaign promise – “Read my lips. No new taxes” – came back to haunt him when he felt compelled to reverse policy.
