Man who ended the Cold War without firing a shot
FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE
father had lived for “94 remarkable years”. George Jnr added: “He was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for.”
Barack Obama, who personally hung a presidential medal round Mr Bush’s neck in 2010, said his life was “a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good”.
In a joint statement with wife Michelle, Mr Obama added: “It was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but – ending the Cold War without firing a shot.”
The last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, called Mr Bush “a genuine partner”, adding: “We happened to work together in years of great changes. The result was the end of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race.”
Bill Clinton, who defeated Mr Bush in the 1992 election to succeed him and was left a warm welcoming note by him in the Oval Office, said: “I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. Few Americans will ever be able to match his record of service and the joy he took from it.” Jimmy Carter, who was Mr Bush and Mr Gorbachev, with whom he had a good relationship, in 2005 the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, said Mr Bush’s term in office was “marked by grace, civility and social conscience”.
President Donald Trump has previously clashed with the Bush family but nevertheless issued a warm statement from the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.
He praised Mr Bush for his “judgement, sense and unflappable leadership,” adding that he remained humble despite all his accomplishments.
The Queen sent Mr Trump a message saying Mr Bush had been “a patriot, great friend and ally” and she and Prince Philip remembered visiting him in Texas with “great fondness”.
Mr Bush’s presidency was dominated by foreign policy, including forging a coalition to oust Iraqi forces from Kuwait. He was also tested by tensions with China and Panama.
America is to hold a hold a national day of mourning in his honour on
Mr Obama and decoration Wednesday. His funeral will be held at Washington National Cathedral on a date to be set. Mr Bush, a senator’s son from a privileged background, enlisted in the navy at 18 and became one of its youngest aviators. He survived being shot down on a 1944 Pacific raid in which all the other pilots were killed, an experience that affected him deeply. After the war he wed longtime sweetheart Barbara Pierce and they went on to have six children and stay married for 73 years. Mr Bush, who was confined to a wheelchair in his final years, was pictured after Barbara’s funeral flanked by wellwishers including the Clintons and Obamas. Hollywood star and ex-california governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a tribute last night: “President George Bush has left us for one last flight. He’s flying into the arms of the love of his life, Barbara.” Mr Bush’s body is to be buried alongside that of Barbara and their daughter Robin, who died as a child. chris.bucktin@mirror.co.uk