The Maltese government expressed its sincere condolences to the American people and the family of the former President of the United States George Herbert Walker Bush who at 94 years of age left this world in Dallas, Texas.
In a tweet Minister for Foreign Affairs Carmelo Abela described the 41st US President as “a patriot who believed the U.S. should lead the world as a positive force.”
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former US President #GeorgeHWBush, a patriot who believed the U.S. should lead the world as a positive force. At this time, our thoughts & prayers are with his family and the American people. @MFAMalta @MaltaGov pic.twitter.com/m3uIl3c8U9
— Carmelo Abela (@AbelaCarmelo) December 1, 2018
Twenty-nine years ago (between the 2 and 3 of December) the world was focused on Malta during what became known as the Malta Summit just a few weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall. During the meeting Bush and his U.S.S.R. counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev declared the end of the Cold War.
The arrival of George W.H.Bush at the Malta international Airport on 1st December 1989 greeted by the then President Ċensu Tabone:
George H.W. Bush with the then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami at the Auberge de Castille:
Various people took to social media to pay tribute to the man that changed the face of global foreign policy in the 1990s.
Emmanuel Macron decribed him as a “grand dirigeant” great leader:
On behalf of the French people, I convey all my condolences to the American nation for the loss of former President George Bush. He was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe. Our sympathy to his family and beloved ones. https://t.co/U3qKLYjUJi
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 1, 2018
Bill Clinton the 42nd President of the United thanks him for his friendship and love:
Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H. W. Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship. I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my life’s greatest gifts. https://t.co/1CYdrIeKmz
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 1, 2018
The U.S. President Donald Trump describes him as an authentic that always thrives to set higher bars:
Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/qxPsp4Ggs7
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018
Whilst the tenor Joseph Calleja reminisces his meeting with the former President after a performance in Houston, Texas:
Saddened by the passing of President George Bush. Here we are in Houston, after a performance of Puccini’s Butterfly, when he reminisced about “operation sea sickness” which was the code name for the Malta summit with President Gorbachev de facto ending the cold war in 1989. pic.twitter.com/YzWIGLTmyf
— Joseph Calleja (@MalteseTenor) December 1, 2018
