Former U.S. President George W. Bush expressed regret over the deprivation of education and work for girls and women in Afghanistan, stating that unfortunately, they have lost the opportunity to flourish their talents.
Mr. Bush made these remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at his presidential center in Dallas, saying that those women who were just beginning to discover their true abilities no longer have the chance to realize all their potential.
He emphasized, “All human beings want to be free, and we saw this in Afghanistan as well.”
He added that some people believed that Afghan citizens do not want freedom or do not understand the difference between freedom and tyranny, but of course, they know what the difference is.
Bush clarified, “Young girls who were going to school for the first time in their lives knew the difference. Women who were becoming doctors and university professors understood the distinction between a free society and a tyrannical one.”
Additionally, the former U.S. president spoke about the September 11 attacks, noting that just eight months into his presidency, it changed the course of his presidency and turned him into a “wartime president.”
He recounted that on that day, he was in a classroom in Florida, and after the second plane hit the World Trade Center, it became clear to him that this was not an ordinary crime and must be treated as an act of war.
He stressed that from that moment, the government’s priority became the protection of the country and preparation for military operations; a decision that led to the commencement of the U.S. and its allies’ attack on Afghanistan three weeks later.
