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Former president Bush returns to Guam after South Asia trip
While Americans were celebrating President's Day in the United States mainland, Guam was paid a special visit by a former head of state. Just after 10:30am this morning former president George H.W. Bush touched down at Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo. Former presidents Bush and Bill Clinton toured tsunami-hit nations over the weekend not only to assess humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts but also create international attention that help is still needed.
The former presidents' itinerary included visits to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand and Banda Ache, the latter of which has been ground zero of destruction from the December 26 tsunami. The presidential pair reportedly visited a tsunami trauma counseling camp for children, a water purification project and temporary housing units constructed with U.S. money for victims who were left homeless.
Former president Bush granted his first interview on U.S. soil to local journalists present at AAFB this morning. When asked about his trip, the former chief executive told KUAM News, "It was a wonderful trip, very heartwarming; I mean, in a lot of ways but yet heartbreaking in others when you see the damage, it's far worse than I thought and there was a lot of cleanup so there's devastation, I tell ya."
Bush reacted to concerns about the U.S. military's involvement in recovery and reconstruction efforts, a lot of which was initiated from Guam, as military personnel from both Andersen AFB and COMNAVMAR were activated to provide a wave of relief and supplies to the tsunami victims. "I tell you one good thing," he continued, "You know, there was some criticism early on about U.S. military going there. All you hear is compliments and appreciation for the people that went over there. Because they got in there they got their hands dirty and did an awful lot of work in all four countries we went to."
Former president Bush is now heading back to the mainland, where he is scheduled to brief his son, current President George W. Bush. "One thing is the appreciation for the United States and what has already been done and the need to keep doing it by supporting the private sector in joining the government as much as possible," he said.
U.S. private sector donations are at around $700 million, while government and private donors have contributed about $7 billion in tsunami aid. It's estimated another $4-5 billion is still needed to rebuild homes and infrastructure destroyed by the tsunami.
Former president Clinton did not return with Bush.
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