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Global Leaders Praise Bush as a Calm and Vital Statesman Global Leaders Praise Bush as a Calm and Vital Statesman
(35 minutes later)
BERLIN — To Germans, the 41st president of the United States, George Bush, was the man who helped ensure the peaceful reunification of their country. To Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, he exemplified great kindness. To many Kuwaitis, he was a hero, lauded for the 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces from their country. BERLIN — To Germans, the 41st president of the United States, George Bush, was the man who helped ensure the peaceful reunification of their country. To Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, he exemplified great kindness. To many Kuwaitis, he was a hero for the 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces from their country.
On Saturday, as former and current leaders around the globe learned of Mr. Bush’s death at 94 on Friday night, their condolences were steeped in praise for the depth of his abilities as a statesman and his refusal to grandstand — a point that commentators noted was in sharp contrast to the tone of the current administration. On Saturday, as former and current leaders around the globe learned of Mr. Bush’s death at 94 on Friday night, their condolences were steeped in praise for the depth of his abilities as a statesman and his refusal to grandstand — which commentators noted was in sharp contrast to the tone of the current American administration.
“Germany owes a lot to George H.W. Bush,” Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote in a telegram to President Trump. “It was a stroke of luck in German history that he was at the head of the United States of America when the Cold War came to an end and Germany’s reunification became possible.”“Germany owes a lot to George H.W. Bush,” Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote in a telegram to President Trump. “It was a stroke of luck in German history that he was at the head of the United States of America when the Cold War came to an end and Germany’s reunification became possible.”
Ms. Merkel praised Mr. Bush for recognizing “the significance of this historical hour” and giving Germans “his trust and support.”Ms. Merkel praised Mr. Bush for recognizing “the significance of this historical hour” and giving Germans “his trust and support.”
“The courageous and peaceful revolution of the people to the east of the Iron Curtain thus met with the courage and skill of a statesman who, together with others, led Europe and the trans-Atlantic partnership through this upheaval, ushering in a new era,” she wrote.“The courageous and peaceful revolution of the people to the east of the Iron Curtain thus met with the courage and skill of a statesman who, together with others, led Europe and the trans-Atlantic partnership through this upheaval, ushering in a new era,” she wrote.
Mr. Bush, often criticized at home for his measured response to the fall of the Iron Curtain, was praised for that very quality abroad. His calm, controlled response to the end of communism in Europe earned him respect on the Continent as a senior statesman, despite his decisions to send United States troops into Panama and to launch the 1991 Persian Gulf war. Mr. Bush, often criticized at home for his measured response to the fall of the Iron Curtain, was lauded for that very quality abroad. His calm, controlled response to the end of Communism in Europe earned him respect on the Continent as a senior statesman, despite his decisions to send United States troops into Panama and to launch the 1991 Persian Gulf war.
Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union, underscored Mr. Bush’s skillful negotiation among the former adversaries of the Cold War.Mikhail Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union, underscored Mr. Bush’s skillful negotiation among the former adversaries of the Cold War.
“We had a chance to work together during the years of tremendous changes. It was a dramatic time that demanded great responsibility from everyone,” he told the Interfax news agency. “The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race.”“We had a chance to work together during the years of tremendous changes. It was a dramatic time that demanded great responsibility from everyone,” he told the Interfax news agency. “The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race.”
Mr. Gorbachev said Mr. Bush “was a true partner” at the diplomatic table, but above all one who showed kindness to him and to his wife, Raisa.Mr. Gorbachev said Mr. Bush “was a true partner” at the diplomatic table, but above all one who showed kindness to him and to his wife, Raisa.
One example of Mr. Bush’s approach: On the morning of Nov. 10, 1989, as news reached Washington that the Berlin Wall had fallen peacefully the previous night, Mr. Bush called Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany to wish him “lots of luck.”One example of Mr. Bush’s approach: On the morning of Nov. 10, 1989, as news reached Washington that the Berlin Wall had fallen peacefully the previous night, Mr. Bush called Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany to wish him “lots of luck.”
Historians have noted that while Ronald Reagan gets the credit for urging Mr. Gorbachev to “tear down that wall,” it was Mr. Bush who later succeeded in persuading the Russian leader, as well as President François Mitterrand of France and the deeply skeptical Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain, to allow the two German nations to reunite.Historians have noted that while Ronald Reagan gets the credit for urging Mr. Gorbachev to “tear down that wall,” it was Mr. Bush who later succeeded in persuading the Russian leader, as well as President François Mitterrand of France and the deeply skeptical Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain, to allow the two German nations to reunite.
“I will never forget the role he played in making Europe a safer and more united place following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.“I will never forget the role he played in making Europe a safer and more united place following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.
“President Bush’s calmness, leadership and close personal relationships with Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev were decisive in restoring peace and freedom back to so many people across our continent,” Mr. Juncker said in a statement. “We Europeans will forever remember this.”“President Bush’s calmness, leadership and close personal relationships with Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev were decisive in restoring peace and freedom back to so many people across our continent,” Mr. Juncker said in a statement. “We Europeans will forever remember this.”
Mr. Kohl, who died in 2017, Mr. Bush and Mr. Gorbachev gathered in 2005 at a ceremony held at the Point Alpha Memorial in central Germany, to accept an award honoring the role they had played at a decisive time in history for Europe and the world at large. Sitting together on stage, Mr. Kohl needled the former American president about his response to Mrs. Thatcher’s biting remark that “two Germanys are better than one.” In the tense months of 1989 and 1990, during the collapse of the Communist system that had controlled Eastern Europe for decades, the situation was delicate and demanded a leader in Washington who understood that it was not the moment to declare victory — despite domestic criticism that his response had not been forceful enough.
“She didn’t let you get a word in edgewise, eh, George,” the former German chancellor joked, and the three erupted in laughter.
But in the tense months of 1989 and 1990, during the collapse of the communist system that had controlled Eastern Europe for decades, the situation was delicate and demanded a leader in Washington who understood that it was not the moment to declare victory — despite domestic criticism that his response had not been forceful enough.
“As the two blocs faltered and the decades-long confrontation began to break down, George H.W. Bush seized the courageous chance to end the Cold War,” Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, wrote on Twitter. “We mourn a great statesman and a friend of Germany.”“As the two blocs faltered and the decades-long confrontation began to break down, George H.W. Bush seized the courageous chance to end the Cold War,” Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, wrote on Twitter. “We mourn a great statesman and a friend of Germany.”
Lech Walesa, the former Polish president and leader of the Solidarity labor movement that helped to bring down communism in his country, posted a picture on Twitter of himself standing arm in arm with Mr. Bush, their hands raised in “V” signs of victory. He, too, thanked Mr. Bush for his role in ending the Cold War. Lech Walesa, the former Polish president and leader of the Solidarity labor movement that helped to bring down Communism in his country, posted a picture on Twitter of himself standing arm in arm with Mr. Bush, their hands raised in “V” signs of victory. He, too, thanked Mr. Bush for his role in ending the Cold War.
“He was the only one of the world leaders who at the time did much to bring down communism and help Poland,” Mr. Walesa said. “It will remain forever in the hearts and memory.”
President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed his condolences to Mr. Bush’s family in a message on Twitter, mourning a “great leader who strongly supported the alliance with Europe.”President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed his condolences to Mr. Bush’s family in a message on Twitter, mourning a “great leader who strongly supported the alliance with Europe.”
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia addressed his condolences directly to a son of Mr. Bush, former President George W. Bush, recalling his father as “an exceptional person who served his land for his whole life.” President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia recalled Mr. Bush as “an exceptional person” who “showed political wisdom and foresight, strived to make balanced decisions even in the most challenging situations.”
The elder Mr. Bush “showed political wisdom and foresight, strived to make balanced decisions even in the most challenging situations,” the Russian president said.
In the Middle East, Mr. Bush’s legacy was more nuanced, given his decision to end the war after 100 hours that pushed the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait but left Saddam Hussein in power.In the Middle East, Mr. Bush’s legacy was more nuanced, given his decision to end the war after 100 hours that pushed the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait but left Saddam Hussein in power.
Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, praised the “historic stands and support” that Mr. Bush showed to his country and “his pivotal role in forming an international coalition, mandated by the U.N. to liberate the state of Kuwait” after the invasion by Iraq in 1990, the Kuna news agency said.Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, praised the “historic stands and support” that Mr. Bush showed to his country and “his pivotal role in forming an international coalition, mandated by the U.N. to liberate the state of Kuwait” after the invasion by Iraq in 1990, the Kuna news agency said.
The ruler of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, said Emiratis remembered him as a “firm ally and friend.” The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, said Emiratis remembered him as a “firm ally and friend.”
Other leaders echoed the sentiment. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said: “President Bush dedicated himself to world peace and security by taking a leading role in ending the Cold War and reconciling the West and East, and made noble endeavors to bring peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen the ROK-US alliance. President George H.W. Bush will be long remembered in the hearts of the Korean people.” In Israel, then under the leadership of Yitzhak Shamir, there had been little warmth in the relationship between the Bush administration. Mr. Bush had strong opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, while Mr. Shamir’s insisted on continued construction.
John Major, who succeeded Mrs. Thatcher as prime minister of Britain in 1990, summed up the core of what many appreciated about Mr. Bush: He “saw America’s obligation to the world and honored it,” Mr. Major said. But Israeli leaders had praised Mr. Bush for helping to liberate Soviet Jewry, as well as for helping waves of Ethiopian Jews to reach Israel. Taking advantage of the new Middle Eastern political order arising from the Gulf war and the breakup of the Soviet Union, Mr. Bush and his secretary of state, James Baker, engaged in the intensive diplomacy that resulted in the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991.
“I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend,” Mr. Major told The Associated Press. “He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known.” Bringing together representatives of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinians under American and Soviet auspices, it lay the ground for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said, “The people of Israel will always remember his commitment to Israel’s security, his important contribution to the liberation of Soviet Jewry, and his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East at the Madrid Conference.”
President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority sent a letter of condolence, saying that he and his wife “extend our heartfelt sympathies to the whole family and to the American people.”
Condolences from other leaders poured in. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said: President Bush “made noble endeavors to bring peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen the ROK-US alliance. President George H.W. Bush will be long remembered in the hearts of the Korean people.”
John Major, who succeeded Mrs. Thatcher as prime minister of Britain in 1990, summed up the core of what many appreciated about Mr. Bush: He “saw America’s obligation to the world and honored it,” Mr. Major told The Associated Press. “He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known.”