Newly released verbatim transcripts of conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President George W. Bush, made public this week by the "National Security Archive" following a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, showed deep early concerns about Pakistan's&nbsp;nuclear weapons and the risks of proliferation to states such as Iran&nbsp;and North Korea.&nbsp;The documents, covering meetings and calls from 2001 to 2008, highlight how both leaders viewed Pakistan,&nbsp;under military ruler Pervez Musharraf, as a major non-proliferation headache, even as they built a close post-9/11 partnership focused on counter-terrorism. In their first personal encounter on 16 June 2001 at Brdo Castle in Slovenia, Putin voiced stark worries about the country's stability. "I am concerned about Pakistan," he told Bush. "It is just a junta with nuclear weapons. It is no democracy, yet the West does not criticize it. Should talk about it."&nbsp;The exchange came amid discussions on strategic stability, missile defence, Iran, North Korea, and NATO expansion. Bush described Russia as "part of the West and not an enemy", while the two leaders expressed mutual respect-Bush later famously said he had looked into Putin's soul and found him trustworthy. By September 2005, during a meeting in the Oval Office focused on non-proliferation and cooperation on Iran and North Korea, the conversation turned explicitly to traces of Pakistani involvement in Iran's nuclear activities.<h2>2005 Transcript:</h2>Putin: But it's not clear what the labs (Iran) have, where they are... Cooperation with Pakistan still exists.Bush: I talked to Musharraf about that. I told him we're worried about transfers to Iran and North Korea. They put A.Q. Khan in jail, and some of his buddies. Under house arrest. We want to know what they said. I keep reminding Musharraf of that. Either he's getting nothing, or he's not being forthcoming."Putin: As far as I understand, they found uranium of Pakistani origin in the centrifuges.Bush: Yes, the stuff the Iranians forgot to tell the IAEA about. That's a violation.Putin: It was of Pakistani origin. That makes me nervous.Bush: It makes us nervous, tooPutin: Think about us.Bush: We don't need a lot of religious nuts with nuclear weapons. That's what Iran has running the country.&nbsp;The candid dialogue shows the shared anxiety over the A.Q. Khan proliferation network, the Pakistani scientist who admitted selling nuclear technology to multiple countries, and the fragility of Pakistan's command and control over its arsenal amid political instability. The transcripts portray an early "foxhole" camaraderie between the two presidents, with Bush calling Putin "the type of guy I like to have in the foxhole with me" after the 9/11 attacks.&nbsp;Released earlier this week, after processing by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the documents provide rare insight into high-level discussions that shaped US-Russian cooperation on proliferation before relations deteriorated over issues including Iraq, NATO enlargement, and missile defence. The National Security Archive, a nonprofit research institute at George Washington University, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that accelerated declassification of the Bush-Putin transcripts.<h2>India's own concerns over Pakistan's non-proliferation</h2>India has long expressed concerns over Pakistan's nuclear proliferation record. Earlier this year, in response of US President Trump saying that Pakistan is conducting secret nuclear test, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (November 2025) pointed that, "Clandestine and illegal nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistan’s history, that is centered around decades of smuggling, export control violations, secret partnerships, AQ Khan network and further proliferation". He emphasized that India has consistently drawn international attention to Pakistan's record of nuclear non-transparency and proliferation, framing it as a major regional security concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the May conflict, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly questioned the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, labelling it an "irresponsible and rogue nation" and calling for its weapons to be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Putin and Bush shared 'nervous' fears over Pakistan's nuclear proliferation, declassified transcripts show

Newly released verbatim transcripts of conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President George W. Bush, made public this week by the "National Security Archive" following a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, showed deep early concerns about Pakistan's nuclear weapons and the risks of proliferation to states such as Iran and North Korea. The documents, covering meetings and calls from 2001 to 2008, highlight how both leaders viewed Pakistan, under military ruler Pervez Musharraf, as a major non-proliferation headache, even as they built a close post-9/11 partnership focused on counter-terrorism. In their first personal encounter on 16 June 2001 at Brdo Castle in Slovenia, Putin voiced stark worries about the country's stability. "I am concerned about Pakistan," he told Bush. "It is just a junta with nuclear weapons. It is no democracy, yet the West does not criticize it. Should talk about it." The exchange came amid discussions on strategic stability, missile defence, Iran, North Korea, and NATO expansion. Bush described Russia as "part of the West and not an enemy", while the two leaders expressed mutual respect-Bush later famously said he had looked into Putin's soul and found him trustworthy. By September 2005, during a meeting in the Oval Office focused on non-proliferation and cooperation on Iran and North Korea, the conversation turned explicitly to traces of Pakistani involvement in Iran's nuclear activities. 2005 Transcript: Putin: But it's not clear what the labs (Iran) have, where they are... Cooperation with Pakistan still exists. Bush: I talked to Musharraf about that. I told him we're worried about transfers to Iran and North Korea. They put A.Q. Khan in jail, and some of his buddies. Under house arrest. We want to know what they said. I keep reminding Musharraf of that. Either he's getting nothing, or he's not being forthcoming." Putin: As far as I understand, they found uranium of Pakistani origin in the centrifuges. Bush: Yes, the stuff the Iranians forgot to tell the IAEA about. That's a violation. Putin: It was of Pakistani origin. That makes me nervous. Bush: It makes us nervous, too Putin: Think about us. Bush: We don't need a lot of religious nuts with nuclear weapons. That's what Iran has running the country. The candid dialogue shows the shared anxiety over the A.Q. Khan proliferation network, the Pakistani scientist who admitted selling nuclear technology to multiple countries, and the fragility of Pakistan's command and control over its arsenal amid political instability. The transcripts portray an early "foxhole" camaraderie between the two presidents, with Bush calling Putin "the type of guy I like to have in the foxhole with me" after the 9/11 attacks. Released earlier this week, after processing by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the documents provide rare insight into high-level discussions that shaped US-Russian cooperation on proliferation before relations deteriorated over issues including Iraq, NATO enlargement, and missile defence. The National Security Archive, a nonprofit research institute at George Washington University, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that accelerated declassification of the Bush-Putin transcripts. India's own concerns over Pakistan's non-proliferation India has long expressed concerns over Pakistan's nuclear proliferation record. Earlier this year, in response of US President Trump saying that Pakistan is conducting secret nuclear test, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (November 2025) pointed that, "Clandestine and illegal nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistan’s history, that is centered around decades of smuggling, export control violations, secret partnerships, AQ Khan network and further proliferation". He emphasized that India has consistently drawn international attention to Pakistan's record of nuclear non-transparency and proliferation, framing it as a major regional security concern. After the May conflict, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly questioned the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, labelling it an "irresponsible and rogue nation" and calling for its weapons to be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The documents, covering meetings and calls from 2001 to 2008, highlight how both leaders viewed Pakistan,&nbsp;under military ruler Pervez Musharraf, as a major non-proliferation headache, even as they built a close post-9/11 partnership focused on counter-terrorism

Former President George W. Bush has stepped into the US debate on immigration, saying migrants are "a force for good" and arguing for a gradual process to allow undocumented immigrants to earn legal status.

Bush, a past governor of Texas — a border state heavily impacted by migration — made his points in an op-ed article in the Washington Post previewing his new book "Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants."

The book, whose name comes from the nation's Latin motto "E Pluribus unum," features portraits of immigrants done by Bush himself, who self-deprecatingly says he knows his paintings "may not set the art world stirring."&nbsp;

But he says that by sharing the portraits of immigrants, each with "a remarkable story," he hoped "to humanize the debate on immigration and reform."

His pro-immigrant message comes as President Joe Biden, who had promised to ease Donald Trump's severe immigration crackdown, has struggled with an uncontrolled surge of migrants coming through Mexico.

The immigrant portraits drawn by Bush range from those of the unknown — like a young French man who became an American soldier and won the country's Medal of Honor — to the much better-known stories of two migrants, Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, who fled prewar Europe and rose to become US secretaries of state.

Bush asks in his op-ed how it is that "in a country more generous to new arrivals than any other, immigration policy is the source of so much rancor and ill will."

The short answer, he adds, brings "little credit to either party."

While offering no specific policy prescriptions, the former president advocates several "good-faith" steps: a path to citizenship for those brought to the US as children; greater securing of the southern border; a modernized asylum system; and increased legal immigration to allow "talented people (to) bring their ideas and aspirations here."

As for the millions of undocumented migrants living in the US, Bush says that a grant of amnesty would be "fundamentally unfair" to those trying to come legally, but he adds that "undocumented immigrants should be brought out of the shadows through a gradual process in which legal residency and citizenship must be earned."

Applicants should have to pay a fine and back taxes, document their work history, demonstrate English proficiency and knowledge of US history and civics, and provide a clean background check.&nbsp;

After all, he adds, their determination to come to the US "is an affirmation of our country and what we stand for."

Former President George W. Bush has stepped into the US debate on immigration, saying migrants are "a force for good" and arguing for a gradual process to allow undocumented immigrants to earn legal status.

Former President George W. Bush has stepped into the US debate on immigration, saying migrants are "a force for good" and arguing for a gradual process to allow undocumented immigrants to earn legal status. Bush, a past governor of Texas — a border state heavily impacted by migration — made his points in an op-ed article in the Washington Post previewing his new book "Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants." The book, whose name comes from the nation's Latin motto "E Pluribus unum," features portraits of immigrants done by Bush himself, who self-deprecatingly says he knows his paintings "may not set the art world stirring." But he says that by sharing the portraits of immigrants, each with "a remarkable story," he hoped "to humanize the debate on immigration and reform." His pro-immigrant message comes as President Joe Biden, who had promised to ease Donald Trump's severe immigration crackdown, has struggled with an uncontrolled surge of migrants coming through Mexico. The immigrant portraits drawn by Bush range from those of the unknown — like a young French man who became an American soldier and won the country's Medal of Honor — to the much better-known stories of two migrants, Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, who fled prewar Europe and rose to become US secretaries of state. Bush asks in his op-ed how it is that "in a country more generous to new arrivals than any other, immigration policy is the source of so much rancor and ill will." The short answer, he adds, brings "little credit to either party." While offering no specific policy prescriptions, the former president advocates several "good-faith" steps: a path to citizenship for those brought to the US as children; greater securing of the southern border; a modernized asylum system; and increased legal immigration to allow "talented people (to) bring their ideas and aspirations here." As for the millions of undocumented migrants living in the US, Bush says that a grant of amnesty would be "fundamentally unfair" to those trying to come legally, but he adds that "undocumented immigrants should be brought out of the shadows through a gradual process in which legal residency and citizenship must be earned." Applicants should have to pay a fine and back taxes, document their work history, demonstrate English proficiency and knowledge of US history and civics, and provide a clean background check. After all, he adds, their determination to come to the US "is an affirmation of our country and what we stand for."

Bush, in op-ed and book, steps into US migration debate

The 1,400-square-foot house in Midland, Texas, where former President George W. Bush spent part of his childhood is under consideration to become part of the national park system, the National Park Service said.

The park service said it had started a “special resource study,” as directed by Congress in 2019, to examine the eligibility of the home on West Ohio Avenue “as a new unit of the national park system.”

The study will gather information about the house, and the findings will be reported to Congress, according to the park service.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-said-to-have-discussed-pardoning-himself-355373">&nbsp;Trump is said to have discussed pardoning himself</a>

The agency also said in an announcement last month that it would hold a virtual meeting for the public on Jan. 26 to learn more about Bush’s former home, which has already been turned into a museum.

The home’s precise designation in the park system was not immediately clear, and a park service press representative could not be reached on Saturday.

“Adding the George W. Bush childhood home is a must for the National Park Service,” said Douglas Brinkley, a professor at Rice University in Houston and an author and presidential historian who has written about the park service’s preservation of homes of notable Americans.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/rappers-lil-wayne-kodak-black-in-line-for-donald-trumps-pardons-for-these-crimes-355311" hreflang="en">Rappers Lil Wayne, Kodak Black in line for Trump's pardons for these crimes</a>

Designations of the homes are meant to preserve the sites permanently for the public and to honor the local history around them, he said.

The home was part of not only Bush’s formative years but also his father’s, former President George H.W. Bush.

The consideration to add the site to the park system comes as some of George W. Bush’s former political rivals and critics have looked back with nostalgia at the more considered and civil tone that governed his presidency. The reexamination has occurred amid the division and violence sown by the current Republican president, Donald Trump.

“There is no doubt that George W. Bush’s reputation and, to a lesser extent, his father’s, have been greatly enhanced by Donald Trump,” said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-hurt-for-our-country-michelle-obama-reacts-after-capitol-riots-355301">'I hurt for our country': Michelle Obama, reacts after Capitol riots</a>&nbsp;

“Were it about his policies alone, history is going to put him on the lowest rungs,” Engel said of the younger Bush. “But people still really wish they had a president — and are looking forward to having a president — who isn’t a jerk.”

The elder Bush had moved to Midland at the start of the oil boom to make his fortune in the industry.

He bought a bright blue house on East Maple Street for $7,500, with a mortgage from the Federal Housing Administration, wrote Herbert S. Parmet in his book “The Life of a Lone Star Yankee” about the elder Bush.

“Their area became known as Easter Egg Row, because all the houses were painted with vivid colors,” he wrote.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-an-assault-on-all-democratic-institutions-donald-trump-attempts-coup-detat-355240" hreflang="en">After an assault on all democratic institutions, Trump attempts coup d'etat</a>

The family then moved to the house on West Ohio Avenue and lived there from November 1951 until November 1955, and later moved to Houston.

“Midland is really underappreciated as an influence on George W. Bush,” Engel said.

These were the years when the elder Bush was on the road, selling oil parts and leaving the children with their mother, Barbara. Her strong personality and famously sharp tongue would influence the swagger and blunt speech of the younger Bush.

“This is why he says he has his father’s eyes and his mother’s tongue,” Engel said.

After leaving the White House in 2009, Bush and the former first lady, Laura Bush, returned to Texas and in the years since have pushed for better treatment of wounded veterans and expanded school and community libraries, Brinkley said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-capitol-siege-sends-shockwaves-across-the-world-heres-a-timeline-of-how-it-unfolded-355224" hreflang="en">As Capitol siege sends shockwaves across world, a timeline of how it unfolded</a>

Both have largely stayed out of politics, but Bush, who did not support Trump’s candidacy, has spoken out against the bigotry and white supremacy that have been parts of the current president’s tenure.

On Wednesday, Bush condemned the siege on Capitol Hill, which he said “was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.”

Brinkley said of Bush: “He’s never going to be seen as a top-tier American president due to the failure of the Iraq War, the tanking of the economy under his watch, his inaction during Katrina. The list is long.”

But Bush’s consistent disavowal of Trump, he said, “puts him on the winning side of history.”

The 1,400-square-foot house in Midland, Texas, where former President George W. Bush spent part of his childhood is under consideration to become part of the national park system, the National Park Service said.

The 1,400-square-foot house in Midland, Texas, where former President George W. Bush spent part of his childhood is under consideration to become part of the national park system, the National Park Service said. The park service said it had started a “special resource study,” as directed by Congress in 2019, to examine the eligibility of the home on West Ohio Avenue “as a new unit of the national park system.” The study will gather information about the house, and the findings will be reported to Congress, according to the park service. Also read| Trump is said to have discussed pardoning himself The agency also said in an announcement last month that it would hold a virtual meeting for the public on Jan. 26 to learn more about Bush’s former home, which has already been turned into a museum. The home’s precise designation in the park system was not immediately clear, and a park service press representative could not be reached on Saturday. “Adding the George W. Bush childhood home is a must for the National Park Service,” said Douglas Brinkley, a professor at Rice University in Houston and an author and presidential historian who has written about the park service’s preservation of homes of notable Americans. Also read| Rappers Lil Wayne, Kodak Black in line for Trump's pardons for these crimes Designations of the homes are meant to preserve the sites permanently for the public and to honor the local history around them, he said. The home was part of not only Bush’s formative years but also his father’s, former President George H.W. Bush. The consideration to add the site to the park system comes as some of George W. Bush’s former political rivals and critics have looked back with nostalgia at the more considered and civil tone that governed his presidency. The reexamination has occurred amid the division and violence sown by the current Republican president, Donald Trump. “There is no doubt that George W. Bush’s reputation and, to a lesser extent, his father’s, have been greatly enhanced by Donald Trump,” said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Also read| 'I hurt for our country': Michelle Obama, reacts after Capitol riots “Were it about his policies alone, history is going to put him on the lowest rungs,” Engel said of the younger Bush. “But people still really wish they had a president — and are looking forward to having a president — who isn’t a jerk.” The elder Bush had moved to Midland at the start of the oil boom to make his fortune in the industry. He bought a bright blue house on East Maple Street for $7,500, with a mortgage from the Federal Housing Administration, wrote Herbert S. Parmet in his book “The Life of a Lone Star Yankee” about the elder Bush. “Their area became known as Easter Egg Row, because all the houses were painted with vivid colors,” he wrote. Also read| After an assault on all democratic institutions, Trump attempts coup d'etat The family then moved to the house on West Ohio Avenue and lived there from November 1951 until November 1955, and later moved to Houston. “Midland is really underappreciated as an influence on George W. Bush,” Engel said. These were the years when the elder Bush was on the road, selling oil parts and leaving the children with their mother, Barbara. Her strong personality and famously sharp tongue would influence the swagger and blunt speech of the younger Bush. “This is why he says he has his father’s eyes and his mother’s tongue,” Engel said. After leaving the White House in 2009, Bush and the former first lady, Laura Bush, returned to Texas and in the years since have pushed for better treatment of wounded veterans and expanded school and community libraries, Brinkley said. Also read| As Capitol siege sends shockwaves across world, a timeline of how it unfolded Both have largely stayed out of politics, but Bush, who did not support Trump’s candidacy, has spoken out against the bigotry and white supremacy that have been parts of the current president’s tenure. On Wednesday, Bush condemned the siege on Capitol Hill, which he said “was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.” Brinkley said of Bush: “He’s never going to be seen as a top-tier American president due to the failure of the Iraq War, the tanking of the economy under his watch, his inaction during Katrina. The list is long.” But Bush’s consistent disavowal of Trump, he said, “puts him on the winning side of history.”

George W. Bush’s childhood home eyed for national park service inclusion

US election 2020: Last five Presidents of the United States of America

Washington's political elite paid tribute to former US President George HW&nbsp;Bush <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mission-complete-george-hw-bushs-service-dog-sully-pictured-near-his-flag-draped-casket-181259">as his body lay in state</a> in the Capitol on Monday, evoking a bygone era of bipartisan civility in American politics.

Before a visibly moved Bush family and with hands on hearts, members of Bush's Cabinet, lawmakers, the vice president and Supreme Court justices honoured the 41st president as his flag-draped casket entered the soaring Capitol Rotunda for the first official ceremony.

The political dynasty, led by son and former President George W&nbsp;Bush, accompanied the patriarch's body on the flight aboard the presidential plane from Texas to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, and then on a trip down Pennsylvania Avenue to the steps of the Capitol.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the first official to speak in the Rotunda, described George HW Bush as a "humble servant" and "a principled leader."

"He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still, and he did it with modesty and kindness that would've been surprising in someone one-tenth as tough and accomplished as he was," McConnell said.

The body of the one-term Republican president will lie in state at the Rotunda through Wednesday, when a state funeral is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral.

Bush died at his Houston home on Friday night at the age of 94, seven months after the death of his wife, Barbara. His passing prompted an outpouring of praise from Republicans and Democrats for his kindness and dedication to public service.

"He was a beautiful, lovely man, it was an honour to work with him, he was beloved," veteran Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, expected to be the next speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, told Reuters as she exited the Rotunda.

'A GOOD EXAMPLE'

Side by side, Democratic and Republican leaders laid floral red, white and blue wreaths around his casket.

"His example will always inspire, and his lifetime of service will be enshrined in the hearts of the American people forever," said Vice President Mike Pence.

After the official ceremony, the public will be allowed to pay its respects. Mourners lined up at the Capitol in the afternoon, many speaking with nostalgia for the comity of the Bush era, in sharp contrast to today's bitter divisions in the age of President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican.

“I think it’s night and day," said Sheila Murray, 58, from Stevensville, Maryland, who came with her 14-year-old son, Thomas.

"And I would want to encourage moms to look at what good leaders are and to never lose hope that they can’t raise their children with good morals and integrity."

After services in Washington, there will be another funeral in Houston on Thursday, followed by burial at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Bush served two terms as vice president under Republican President Ronald Reagan before his own stint in the Oval Office from 1989 to 1993, a time that saw the end of the Cold War as well as the US&nbsp;routing of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's army in the 1991 Gulf War.

He failed to win a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge, losing to Democrat Bill Clinton.

Trump has ordered the federal government to close on Wednesday and both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed in observance. U.S. bond and options markets were also due to be closed, with energy and foreign exchange markets expected to remain open.

Remembrances to George and Barbara Bush sprang up in the Houston neighbourhood where they made their home, at a memorial to the late president at a city park and at the airport named in his honour.

Christy Smith paused over the weekend to pay her respects to Bush at a bronze statue of him at a Houston park.

"He set a good example for all of us," said Smith, 39. "He always was caring and treated people equally."

Washington's political elite paid tribute to former US President George HW Bush as his body lay in state in the Capitol on Monday, evoking a bygone era of bipartisan civility in American politics.

Washington's political elite paid tribute to former US President George HW Bush as his body lay in state in the Capitol on Monday, evoking a bygone era of bipartisan civility in American politics. Before a visibly moved Bush family and with hands on hearts, members of Bush's Cabinet, lawmakers, the vice president and Supreme Court justices honoured the 41st president as his flag-draped casket entered the soaring Capitol Rotunda for the first official ceremony. The political dynasty, led by son and former President George W Bush, accompanied the patriarch's body on the flight aboard the presidential plane from Texas to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, and then on a trip down Pennsylvania Avenue to the steps of the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the first official to speak in the Rotunda, described George HW Bush as a "humble servant" and "a principled leader." "He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still, and he did it with modesty and kindness that would've been surprising in someone one-tenth as tough and accomplished as he was," McConnell said. The body of the one-term Republican president will lie in state at the Rotunda through Wednesday, when a state funeral is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral. Bush died at his Houston home on Friday night at the age of 94, seven months after the death of his wife, Barbara. His passing prompted an outpouring of praise from Republicans and Democrats for his kindness and dedication to public service. "He was a beautiful, lovely man, it was an honour to work with him, he was beloved," veteran Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, expected to be the next speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, told Reuters as she exited the Rotunda. 'A GOOD EXAMPLE' Side by side, Democratic and Republican leaders laid floral red, white and blue wreaths around his casket. "His example will always inspire, and his lifetime of service will be enshrined in the hearts of the American people forever," said Vice President Mike Pence. After the official ceremony, the public will be allowed to pay its respects. Mourners lined up at the Capitol in the afternoon, many speaking with nostalgia for the comity of the Bush era, in sharp contrast to today's bitter divisions in the age of President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican. “I think it’s night and day," said Sheila Murray, 58, from Stevensville, Maryland, who came with her 14-year-old son, Thomas. "And I would want to encourage moms to look at what good leaders are and to never lose hope that they can’t raise their children with good morals and integrity." After services in Washington, there will be another funeral in Houston on Thursday, followed by burial at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Bush served two terms as vice president under Republican President Ronald Reagan before his own stint in the Oval Office from 1989 to 1993, a time that saw the end of the Cold War as well as the US routing of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's army in the 1991 Gulf War. He failed to win a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge, losing to Democrat Bill Clinton. Trump has ordered the federal government to close on Wednesday and both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed in observance. U.S. bond and options markets were also due to be closed, with energy and foreign exchange markets expected to remain open. Remembrances to George and Barbara Bush sprang up in the Houston neighbourhood where they made their home, at a memorial to the late president at a city park and at the airport named in his honour. Christy Smith paused over the weekend to pay her respects to Bush at a bronze statue of him at a Houston park. "He set a good example for all of us," said Smith, 39. "He always was caring and treated people equally."

Washington pays its last respects to George HW Bush as he lies in state at Capitol

Another actress, Jordana Grolnick, has accused former US president George W. Bush of touching her without her consent during a 2016 photo shoot at a Maine theatre. Earlier, actress&nbsp;Heather Lind also made allegations on Tuesday, claiming Bush &#39;sexually assaulted&#39; her from his wheelchair&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/actress-says-george-bush-sr-groped-her-he-apologises-22907">Heather Lind said George W. Bush touched her during photo-op four years </a>with his wife standing by his side and claims that his wife also witnessed it happening.&nbsp;

While describing the events Grolnick told media, &ldquo;He reached his right hand around to my behind, and as we smiled for the photo he asked the group, &lsquo;Do you want to know who my favorite magician is?&rsquo; As I felt his hand dig into my flesh, he said, &lsquo;David Cop-a-Feel&#39;. &rdquo;

The other ladies in the picture laughed uncomfortably while Barbara Bush made a remark like &lsquo;He&rsquo;s going to get himself put in jail!&#39; Grolnick said. Grolnick, who posted a photo of the moment on her Instagram account, she has also said that she had been warned by other actors not to stand next to Bush.&nbsp;

Bush spokesperson Jim McGrath responded with a statement that reads: &#39;At age 93, President Bush has been confined to a wheelchair for roughly five years, so his arm falls on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures.

&#39;To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke and on occasion, he has patted women&#39;s rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner. Some have seen it as innocent; others clearly view it as inappropriate. To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologises most sincerely.&#39;

Actress Jordana Grolnick has accused former US president George W Bush of touching her without her consent during a 2016 photo shoot at Maine theatre

Another actress, Jordana Grolnick, has accused former US president George W. Bush of touching her without her consent during a 2016 photo shoot at a Maine theatre. Earlier, actress Heather Lind also made allegations on Tuesday, claiming Bush 'sexually assaulted' her from his wheelchair Heather Lind said George W. Bush touched her during photo-op four years with his wife standing by his side and claims that his wife also witnessed it happening. While describing the events Grolnick told media, “He reached his right hand around to my behind, and as we smiled for the photo he asked the group, ‘Do you want to know who my favorite magician is?’ As I felt his hand dig into my flesh, he said, ‘David Cop-a-Feel'. ” The other ladies in the picture laughed uncomfortably while Barbara Bush made a remark like ‘He’s going to get himself put in jail!' Grolnick said. Grolnick, who posted a photo of the moment on her Instagram account, she has also said that she had been warned by other actors not to stand next to Bush. Bush spokesperson Jim McGrath responded with a statement that reads: 'At age 93, President Bush has been confined to a wheelchair for roughly five years, so his arm falls on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures. 'To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke and on occasion, he has patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner. Some have seen it as innocent; others clearly view it as inappropriate. To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologises most sincerely.'

Bush Sr apologises again, after another report of sexual assault

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told US President George W Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq &quot;I will be with you, whatever&quot;, and relied on flawed intelligence and unsatisfactory legal advice, a seven-year inquiry concluded today. 
 
In a scathing critique of Blair&#39;s leadership, the inquiry said the threat posed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein&#39;s supposed weapons of mass destruction had been over-hyped and the planning for the aftermath of war had been inadequate. 
 
More than 13 years since the invasion, the war remains a deeply emotive issue for Britons. There are many who want Blair to face criminal action over his decision to take the military action that led to the deaths of 179 British soldiers and more than 150,000 Iraqi civilians over the following six years. 
 
Critics also say it fuelled a deep distrust in politicians and the ruling establishment. The report was issued 13 days after Britons delivered a stunning blow to their political leaders by voting to leave the European Union. 
 
In a lengthy and passionate defence lasting almost two hours, Blair justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the United States in March 2003, at a time when the inquiry said peace options had not been exhausted and Saddam posed no imminent threat. 
 
&quot;I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception,&quot; the former prime minister told reporters, looking gaunt and strained but growing animated as he responded to questions. 
 
&quot;But there was a decision, and it was a controversial decision ... to remove Saddam and to be with America. I believe I made the right decision and the world is better and safer as a result of it.&quot; 
 
The only Labour prime minister to win three general elections, Blair was in office for 10 years until 2007 and was hugely popular in his heyday, but Iraq has severely tarnished his reputation and legacy. 
 
Families of slain British soldiers said they were considering whether to take legal action against him. 
 
Blair said he would take the same decisions again, and that he did not see that action as the cause of terrorism today, in the Middle East or elsewhere. However, he acknowledged mistakes had been made. 
 
&quot;The intelligence assessments made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong. The aftermath turned out to be more hostile, protracted and bloody than ever we imagined,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;For all of this, I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you will ever know.&quot; 
 
&quot;I WILL BE WITH YOU&quot; 
 
The inquiry report, running to 2.6 million words or more than four times the length of &quot;War and Peace&quot;, shed light on the interaction between Blair and Bush in the months leading up to the invasion, which has long been the subject of speculation about secret deals and pledges. 
 
In a memo dated July 28, 2002, eight months before the invasion, Blair told Bush: &quot;I will be with you, whatever. But this is the moment to assess bluntly the difficulties.&quot; 
 
Outside the building where John Chilcot, the inquiry&#39;s chairman, delivered his findings, protesters chanted &quot;Tony Blair, war criminal&quot;. But the report itself stopped short of saying the war was illegal. 
 
&quot;We have, however, concluded that the circumstances in which it was decided that there was a legal basis for military action were far from satisfactory,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
Reg Keys, whose son, 20-year-old Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, was killed in Iraq, said: &quot;We all know who the key players are ... who took part in this most shambolic episode in British politics. We would like to see all those key players face some form of accountability.&quot; 
 
He added: &quot;If that&#39;s through the legal channels, then we will look at that and see what&#39;s viable and appropriate. It has been passed over to lawyers.&quot; 
 
&#39;UNJUSTIFIED CERTAINTY&#39; 
 
Chilcot said Blair had sought to influence Bush&rsquo;s decisions, offering Britain&#39;s support while suggesting possible adjustments to the U.S. position. But the British leader had over-estimated his ability to influence U.S. decisions on Iraq. 
 
His report also said there was no imminent threat from Saddam at the time of the invasion in March 2003, and the chaos in Iraq and the region which followed should have been foreseen. 
 
Britain had joined the invasion without exhausting peaceful options, and thereby undermined the authority of the United Nations Security Council. 
 
&quot;It is now clear that policy on Iraq was made on the basis of flawed intelligence and assessments. They were not challenged and they should have been,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
He also said that Blair&#39;s government&#39;s judgements about the threat posed by Iraq&#39;s weapons of mass destruction were &quot;presented with unjustified certainty&quot;. 
 
No such weapons were discovered after the war. 
 
Chilcot, who said decisions were often taken without other senior ministers being consulted, said Blair changed his case for war from focusing on Iraq&#39;s alleged &quot;vast stocks&quot; of illegal weapons to Saddam having the intent to obtain such weapons and being in breach of U.N. resolutions. 
 
&quot;That was not, however, the explanation for military action he had given before the conflict,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
Iraq remains in chaos to this day, with large areas under the control of Islamic State. On Saturday, 250 people were killed in Baghdad&#39;s worst car bombing since the U.S.-led invasion. 
 
&quot;I wish Saddam would return; he executed many of my family but he is still better than these politicians and clerics who got Iraq to the way it is,&quot; said Kadhim Hassan al-Jabouri, an Iraqi who was filmed attacking Saddam&#39;s statue with a sledgehammer after the invasion. 
 
Others said they were grateful to Washington and London for ending his dictatorship. 
 
The purpose of the inquiry was not to point fingers but for the British government to learn lessons from the invasion and occupation that followed. 
 
&quot;We cannot turn the clock back but we can ensure that lessons are learned and acted on,&quot; Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament. 
 
&quot;It is crucial to good decision-making that a prime minister establishes a climate in which it&#39;s safe for officials and other experts to challenge existing policy and question the views of ministers and the prime minister without fear or favour.&quot; 
 
Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of Blair&#39;s Labour Party and a fervent pacifist, told parliament that the war was an act of aggression based on a false pretext that had fuelled and spread terrorism across the Middle East. 
 
(Reuters)

In a defence lasting almost two hours, the former UK PM justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the US in March 2003

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told US President George W Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq "I will be with you, whatever", and relied on flawed intelligence and unsatisfactory legal advice, a seven-year inquiry concluded today. In a scathing critique of Blair's leadership, the inquiry said the threat posed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's supposed weapons of mass destruction had been over-hyped and the planning for the aftermath of war had been inadequate. More than 13 years since the invasion, the war remains a deeply emotive issue for Britons. There are many who want Blair to face criminal action over his decision to take the military action that led to the deaths of 179 British soldiers and more than 150,000 Iraqi civilians over the following six years. Critics also say it fuelled a deep distrust in politicians and the ruling establishment. The report was issued 13 days after Britons delivered a stunning blow to their political leaders by voting to leave the European Union. In a lengthy and passionate defence lasting almost two hours, Blair justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the United States in March 2003, at a time when the inquiry said peace options had not been exhausted and Saddam posed no imminent threat. "I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception," the former prime minister told reporters, looking gaunt and strained but growing animated as he responded to questions. "But there was a decision, and it was a controversial decision ... to remove Saddam and to be with America. I believe I made the right decision and the world is better and safer as a result of it." The only Labour prime minister to win three general elections, Blair was in office for 10 years until 2007 and was hugely popular in his heyday, but Iraq has severely tarnished his reputation and legacy. Families of slain British soldiers said they were considering whether to take legal action against him. Blair said he would take the same decisions again, and that he did not see that action as the cause of terrorism today, in the Middle East or elsewhere. However, he acknowledged mistakes had been made. "The intelligence assessments made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong. The aftermath turned out to be more hostile, protracted and bloody than ever we imagined," he said. "For all of this, I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you will ever know." "I WILL BE WITH YOU" The inquiry report, running to 2.6 million words or more than four times the length of "War and Peace", shed light on the interaction between Blair and Bush in the months leading up to the invasion, which has long been the subject of speculation about secret deals and pledges. In a memo dated July 28, 2002, eight months before the invasion, Blair told Bush: "I will be with you, whatever. But this is the moment to assess bluntly the difficulties." Outside the building where John Chilcot, the inquiry's chairman, delivered his findings, protesters chanted "Tony Blair, war criminal". But the report itself stopped short of saying the war was illegal. "We have, however, concluded that the circumstances in which it was decided that there was a legal basis for military action were far from satisfactory," Chilcot said. Reg Keys, whose son, 20-year-old Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, was killed in Iraq, said: "We all know who the key players are ... who took part in this most shambolic episode in British politics. We would like to see all those key players face some form of accountability." He added: "If that's through the legal channels, then we will look at that and see what's viable and appropriate. It has been passed over to lawyers." 'UNJUSTIFIED CERTAINTY' Chilcot said Blair had sought to influence Bush’s decisions, offering Britain's support while suggesting possible adjustments to the U.S. position. But the British leader had over-estimated his ability to influence U.S. decisions on Iraq. His report also said there was no imminent threat from Saddam at the time of the invasion in March 2003, and the chaos in Iraq and the region which followed should have been foreseen. Britain had joined the invasion without exhausting peaceful options, and thereby undermined the authority of the United Nations Security Council. "It is now clear that policy on Iraq was made on the basis of flawed intelligence and assessments. They were not challenged and they should have been," Chilcot said. He also said that Blair's government's judgements about the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction were "presented with unjustified certainty". No such weapons were discovered after the war. Chilcot, who said decisions were often taken without other senior ministers being consulted, said Blair changed his case for war from focusing on Iraq's alleged "vast stocks" of illegal weapons to Saddam having the intent to obtain such weapons and being in breach of U.N. resolutions. "That was not, however, the explanation for military action he had given before the conflict," Chilcot said. Iraq remains in chaos to this day, with large areas under the control of Islamic State. On Saturday, 250 people were killed in Baghdad's worst car bombing since the U.S.-led invasion. "I wish Saddam would return; he executed many of my family but he is still better than these politicians and clerics who got Iraq to the way it is," said Kadhim Hassan al-Jabouri, an Iraqi who was filmed attacking Saddam's statue with a sledgehammer after the invasion. Others said they were grateful to Washington and London for ending his dictatorship. The purpose of the inquiry was not to point fingers but for the British government to learn lessons from the invasion and occupation that followed. "We cannot turn the clock back but we can ensure that lessons are learned and acted on," Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament. "It is crucial to good decision-making that a prime minister establishes a climate in which it's safe for officials and other experts to challenge existing policy and question the views of ministers and the prime minister without fear or favour." Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of Blair's Labour Party and a fervent pacifist, told parliament that the war was an act of aggression based on a false pretext that had fuelled and spread terrorism across the Middle East. (Reuters)

'I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception,' says Blair

george-w-bush

George W Bush, News on George W Bush, stories on George W Bush, articles on George W Bush, George W Bush stories at Wion, George W Bush news, George W Bush latest news

george w-bush