‘What We Owe George W. Bush’: Le Figaro, France
As President Bush prepares to leave the stage, one of his staunchest political friends and allies, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose-Maria Aznar – who was kicked out of office for supporting the Iraq invasion after an al-Qaeda terrorist attack in Madrid – has issued this defense of George W. Bush in the pages of France’s Le Figaro.
The former Spanish leader says in part:
“History will give him his due. Even if at present, his work isn’t recognized, and will not be, he has greatly contributed to defending the cause of freedom. His determination and vision were fundamental to the survival of liberty in countries that have been able to benefit from it, and have extended freedom to countries that for too long have lived under tyranny and barbarism.”
Later, in discussing the September 11 attacks, Aznar says:
“The fact that George W. Bush, who was President during this tragedy, will within weeks be able to cede power to his successor without the United States having undergone a similar attack, is proof of his success. … Freedom triumphs when we show the courage and determination to defend it. Freedom also wins when there are more nations capable to choosing their leaders freely. That is precisely the legacy that George W. Bush has preserved, allowed to prosper and is leaving to his successor.”
By Jose-Maria Aznar*
Translated By Nicolas Dagher
France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
As George W. Bush readies himself to leave the White House, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar salutes the international accomplishments of the American President.
A political leader must assume his responsibilities steadfastly and with demonstrated courage, as he is required to advance just and noble causes. It is precisely this mission that has been accomplished by George W. Bush as President of the United States. I’m aware that many people don’t share this point of view, but history will give him his due. Even if at present, his work isn’t recognized, and will not be, he has greatly contributed to defending the cause of freedom. His determination and vision were fundamental to the survival of liberty in countries that have been able to benefit from it, and have extended freedom to countries that for too long have lived under tyranny and barbarism. When it’s possible to vote in places where that option was hitherto inconceivable, freedom has triumphed. There are fewer and fewer murderous dictators and governments able to harbor terrorists, and there is greater freedom to trade.
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2 Responses to “‘What We Owe George W. Bush’: Le Figaro, France”
“As President Bush prepares to leave the stage, one of his staunchest political friends and allies, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose-Maria Aznar – who was kicked out of office for supporting the Iraq invasion after an al-Qaeda terrorist attack in Madrid”
Sorry William but thats an inaccurate statement, or at least the way it's put strongly suggests a storyline that isn't the real one. Aznar supported the invasion of Iraq from the beginning. He sent Spanish troops into Iraq against a massive public outcry (91% of Spaniards were against it). The terrorist attack occured much later, just a few days shy of the general elections. Right after the bombings he insisted that the attack had been perpetrated by our homegrown terrorist group, ETA. Not an unreasonable assumption, most people thought that at first. But it became clear within several hours that it had been Islamic terrorists. Aznar continued to insist on ETA. The fury generated by the combination of the attack (which was understood to be a retaliation against our involvement in Iraq, an involvement Spaniards opposed massively) and suspicion that Aznar was trying to pin it on ETA to save his political hide pushed what was previously an expected close win to a close loss for him.
Zapatero then carried out his campaign promise of taking our troops out of Iraq. Spanish troops remain in Afghanistan, two were killed just last week.
I've read “Against all Enemies” and am reading (about halfway through) “Your Government Failed You” by Richard Clarke, and I'm coming away with a less-than-confident assessment of the state of our “intelligence” and “homeland security.” If anything, it's become a behemoth with lots of confusion in the ranks, and per Clarke things could have been managed much less politically and with greater effectiveness had we heeded some trimming of bureaucracy and integration instead of creating a new homeland security bureaucracy.
As thankful as I am regarding no further attacks on American soil, I wonder if we've been lucky, at least as much as we've been smart. And for those of us eager to end the Bush years without another American soil attack, if the administration gets the political credit for “no attack,” I'll assume that these measures will hold, despite the prophesy of Pat Robertson each year. And I will be thankful for it.