Bush Expresses ‘Deep Sadness’ Over Afghanistan Collapse

Former President George W. Bush on Monday said he and former First Lady Laura Bush feel “deep sadness” over the events unfolding in Afghanistan.

Bush, a Republican who made the decision for the 2001 invasion of the Middle Eastern country, issued the statement after saying last month that believes there will be “unbelievably bad and sad” consequences for the United States pulling troops out of Afghanistan.

“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,” the former president said.

He added that the U.S. government has “the legal authority to cut the red tape for refugees during urgent humanitarian crises.”

“And we have the responsibility and the resources to secure safe passage for them now, without bureaucratic delay,” he said, without mentioning potential safeguards against the risk that terrorists could pose as refugees.- READ MORE