Pashinyan Sends Sympathies to Pres. Trump on Passing of President George H.W. Bush

YEREVAN—On Friday, November 30, the 41st President of the United States passed away at his home in Houston, Texas. President George Herbert Walker Bush was 94 years old. In response, leaders from around the world have reacted, offering messages of condolence to President Donald Trump. In this vein, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan reached out earlier this week to extend his sympathies, issuing the following statement:

“It was with deep pain that we received the news about the death of 41st President of the United States George Bush Senior,” Pashinyan said in the cable, according to his office. “He was a renowned American, a great patriot, who left his visible mark not only in U.S. politics, but also global politics. We Armenians will always remember George Bush Senior with gratitude, both as a politician and a great humanitarian.”

In his message, Pashinyan recalled the time the former president sent his son Jeb, then a real-estate developer, to Soviet Armenia on Christmas Eve to deliver toys and medical supplies to victims of the devastating Spitak earthquake.

Pashinyan also reflected on Bush’s political legacy. “It was during George Bush’s tenure when Armenia regained independence and established diplomatic relations with the USA. He greatly supported the establishment and strengthening of our country’s independent statehood. On behalf of the Armenian people, I ask you to convey our deepest condolences to President Bush’s family and the American people. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult moment.”

Born in Massachusetts on June 12, 1924, George H. W. Bush was the son of wealthy Wall Street banker and future Connecticut Senator Prescott Bush and Dorothy Bush. He is survived by his son, George W., the 43rd U.S. president; his son Jeb, the former Florida governor and 2016 presidential candidate; his sons Neil and Marvin; daughter Dorothy; and 17 grandchildren. He will be buried alongside the former First Lady Barbara Bush, who died in April, and their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia as a child, at his presidential library in College Station, Texas.