| Student accuses bush of wars for opening markets { November 22 2006 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003442486_dadbush22.htmlhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003442486_dadbush22.html
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 12:00 AM Elder Bush takes on Arab critics of son
By Jim Krane The Associated Press
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Former President George H.W. Bush took on Arab critics of his son the president Tuesday during a testy exchange at a leadership conference in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. ally.
"My son is an honest man," Bush told members of the audience who harshly criticized the current U.S. leader's foreign policy.
The oil-rich Persian Gulf used to be safe territory for former President Bush, who brought Arab leaders together in a coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's troops from Kuwait in 1991.
But gratitude for the elder Bush, who served as president from 1989-93, was overshadowed at the Abu Dhabi conference by hostility toward his son, whose invasion of Iraq and support for Israel are deeply unpopular in the region.
"We do not respect your son. We do not respect what he's doing all over the world," a woman in the audience told Bush after his speech.
Bush, 82, appeared stunned as others in the audience whooped and whistled in approval.
A college student told Bush his belief that U.S. wars were aimed at opening markets for U.S. companies and said globalization was contrived for the benefit of the United States at the expense of the rest of the world.
Bush would have none of it.
"I think that's weird and it's nuts," Bush said. "To suggest that everything we do is because we're hungry for money, I think that's crazy. I think you need to go back to school."
The comments came during a question-and-answer session after Bush finished a folksy address on leadership by telling the audience how deeply hurt he feels when his presidential son is criticized.
"This son is not going to back away," Bush said, his voice quivering. "He's not going to change his view because some poll says this or some poll says that, or some heartfelt comments from the lady who feels deeply in her heart about something. You can't be president of the United States and conduct yourself if you're going to cut and run. This is going to work out in Iraq."
One audience member asked the former president what advice he gives his son on Iraq.
Bush said the presence of reporters in the audience prevented him from revealing his advice.
Bush said he was surprised by the audience's criticism of the current president.
"He is working hard for peace. It takes a lot of guts to get up and tell a father about his son in those terms when I just told you the thing that matters in my heart is my family," he said.
"How come everybody wants to come to the United States if the United States is so bad?"
Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company
|
|