The Dalai Lama condoles demise of President George H.W. Bush

DHARAMSALA, Dec 1: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to President George W. Bush to offer his profound condolences to him and his family on the demise President George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States and his father.

“I am saddened by the passing away of your father, President George H.W. Bush. I offer my profound condolences to you and your family at this difficult time,” the Dalai Lama wrote in the missive.

Bush senior was the first US President that the Tibetan spiritual had met with and the Dalai Lama has said that he recalled being deeply touched by his concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet.

“It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others,” the Dalai Lama concluded.

George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States passed away at the age of 94 at 22:10 local time on Friday (04:10 GMT Saturday).

Bush became the 41st President of the US after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan. The President is a Vietnam war hero and his presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy which includes the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.