Funeral set for Saturday
KUWAIT CITY/HOUSTON, April 18, (Agencies): His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Wednesday a cable of condolences to former US president George Bush over the passing away of former first lady Barbara Bush.
In the cable, His Highness the Amir expressed deepest sympathies and heavy heart sentiments on the demise of Mrs Bush; who enjoyed a great deal of love and appreciation on the part of the Kuwaiti people.
His Highness the Amir sent a similar cable to former US president; and son of the deceased, George W. Bush.
Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to both former presidents.
Barbara Bush, the only woman to see her husband and son both sworn in as president, died on Tuesday, aged 92.
Bush was the wife of the 41st president, George H.W. Bush, and mother of the 43rd, George W. Bush.
The Bush family had said in a statement on Sunday that she was in failing health, had decided not to seek further medical treatment and instead would focus on “comfort care.”
According to some media reports, Bush had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart problems in recent years.
“Barbara Bush was a fabulous first lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love and literacy to millions,” George W. Bush said in a statement. “To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end.”
The Silver Fox
Dubbed “The Silver Fox” by her husband and children, Bush was known for her snow-white hair and for being fiercely protective of her family.
She was first lady when her husband was in the White House from 1989 to 1993. Her son, Republican George Walker Bush, triumphed in the disputed 2000 US election and was president from 2001 to 2009. The father-and-son presidents were sometimes referred to as “Bush 41” and “Bush 43.” The Bushes celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in January. Bush had an independent streak and could be sharp-tongued. As first lady, she promoted literacy and reading but said she was more interested in running a household than helping her husband run the country.
She discouraged speculation that she wielded political influence with the president like her predecessors — Ronald Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan, and Jimmy Carter’s wife, Rosalynn Carter.
“I don’t fool around with his office and he doesn’t fool around with my household,” she once said.
“She’ll speak her mind but only to him,” said Jack Steel, a longtime Bush aide.
President Donald Trump and former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were among those praising the late first lady.
“She will be long remembered for her strong devotion to country and family, both of which she served unfailingly well,” Trump and his wife, Melania, said in a statement that noted Bush’s championing of literacy “as a fundamental family value.”
Clinton, who defeated her husband in the 1992 presidential election, called Bush “fierce and feisty in support of her family and friends, her country and her causes. She showed us what an honest, vibrant, full life looks like.”
Obama and his wife, Michelle, said in a statement that Barbara Bush was “an example of the humility and decency that reflects the very best of the American spirit.”
The only other woman to be both wife and mother of US presidents was Abigail Adams, the first lady from 1797 to 1801. She was a major influence on husband John Adams, the nation’s second president, but died before son John Quincy Adams was elected president in 1824.
Another of Bush’s sons, Jeb, who served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, sought the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and she campaigned for him before he dropped out of the race.
report corruption and those who will be dealt in total confidentiality by the anti-corruption agency.
In the past we would have also requested to honor those who report corruption with financial rewards as is the case in advanced countries which honor the ‘whistle blowers’.
The first article of the law which we hope to be understood by them and others is known as a ‘conflict of interest’, which means: a situation in which a person is in to derive personal benefit and make gains illicitly through actions or decisions in their official capacity.
In its second article, the law determines those governed by it, indicating specifically, “those in the government by this law are employees of the government, public authorities and institutions, and those in the capacity of being a civil servant as stipulated by Article No. 43 of the Law No. 31/1970 which amended the penal code (State Security), or anyone who is subjected to the anti-corruption agency’s conditions.
What concerns us in this matter and we wish to highlight and explain is the article of the ‘State Security law’ which stipulates that, “a person is considered to be a civil servant in the following cases: if working in the interest affiliated to the State or under the supervision and control of it; Members of Parliament or local assemblies, whether elected or appointed; judges,
experts, prosecutors, liquidators and court marshals.
Also, anyone who is appointed to serve the public is a civil servant, in addition to administration board members, directors, employees and those running establishments, companies, societies, organizations and facilities in which the State or one of its public authorities contribute in funds by certain amount and by any capacity.
If this law that heartens, as we established earlier, gets implemented on a serious and strict basis, it will restore our confidence in our public institutions and those affiliated with them, seniors and juniors, and it will curb narrations and stories of illicit enrichment through abuse of public positions.
We pray to Almighty Allah to reaffirm our assurances and give strength to those who are in charge of enforcing this civilized law, in which no corrupt individual or those abusing power will prevail without being exposed and punished — will we be able to achieve this?