Former POTUS George Bush and his wife, previous first lady Laura Bush issued a statement on Monday. This statement addressed the escalating crisis in Afghanistan, emphasizing Biden’s promise to evacuate Afghans, and calling to cut the red tape for evacuees.
Bush: The U.S. has the duty and the means to give safe passage for Afghans without bureaucratic obstacles
Former President George Bush and former first lady Laura Bush made a statement on Monday, reiterating Biden’s promise to evacuate the Afghan seeking refuge from the Taliban forces.
Former President George W. Bush statement: "Laura and I have been watching the tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan with deep sadness. Our hearts are heavy for both the Afghan people who have suffered so much and for the Americans and NATO allies who have sacrificed so much."
— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) August 17, 2021
The statement reads that the former president and his wife were watching in deep sadness the tragic situation unfold in Afghanistan. They both have heavy hearts for both the people in Afghanistan who have been suffering and for the American troops and the NATO allies who sacrificed a lot.
Bush added that the Afghans who are now at great risk are the same people who were at the forefront of progress in the nation. The former president then reiterated the remarks made by Biden earlier on Monday, stating that Biden should keep his promise to evacuate these Afghans together with the U.S. citizens and our allies.
The former president later claimed that the U.S. government has the legal authority to get rid of the red tape for evacuees, particularly in times of emergency humanitarian crises. Bush then said the U.S. has the duty and the means to provide safe passage for the Afghans without bureaucratic obstacles. He finally claimed that the brave allies of the U.S., together with private non-government organizations, are ready to help.
George W. Bush puts out a statement on Afghanistan: “President Biden has promised to evacuate these Afghans… The United States government has the legal authority to cut the red tape for refugees during urgent humanitarian crises.” pic.twitter.com/khaHRygZbw
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 17, 2021
The war in Afghanistan started after the 9/11 attack
It can be noted that the war in Afghanistan started under the Bush administration after the attack on September 11, 2001. After 9/11, the White House under the George Bush administration gave an ultimatum to Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader.
This ultimatum was to hand over Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader, and destroy the insurgent training camps or be ready to be attacked. Omar refused to hand over Bin Laden, which resulted in the invasion in October of a U.S.-led coalition.
However, the immediate fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban forces and the following anarchy in the country stirred new condemnation against Biden in relation to the two-decade effort. Former President Bush, who was criticizing Biden’s withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, stated that he was watching the tragic events unfold with “great sadness.”
However, despite all the chaos, Bush expressed his optimism with the Afghans, stating that the same as the U.S., Afghanistan is also made up of vibrant and resilient people. He added that almost 65% of the Afghan population is below 25 years old, adding that the choices that the people will make for liberty, opportunity, and education will determine the future of the country.
