Bush defends decision to invade Iraq

Former U.S. president George W. Bush defended his decision to invade Iraq, said “risk takers,” not government are needed to salvage the world economy and offered his advice to current U.S. administration during a luncheon speech in Calgary.

In his first public address since U.S. President Barack Obama moved into the White House, Mr. Bush was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the podium by close to 2,000 guests who paid $4,000 per table.

“This is my maiden voyage. My first speech since I was the president of the United States and I couldn't think of a better place to give it than Calgary, Canada,” he said to applause.

Organizers had no trouble filling seats at the 195 tables. Security was tight. A lineup snaked through two city blocks leading to the Telus Convention Centre– pushed back the speech by more than half an hour, but Mr. Bush said he would not cut his time with guests short.

“I'll sit here all day,” he said at one point, “I'm flattered people even want to hear me in the first place.”

For 43 minutes Mr. Bush delighted the audience with stories about life as commander in chief and now as a civilian. He also wished his successor the best of luck.

“He [Mr. Obama] was not my first choice for president, but when he won I thought it was good for the United States of America. I was deeply touched and I was deeply moved when I saw African Americans on TV weeping and saying, ‘I never thought it was possible,'” he said.

“I want the President to succeed,” Mr. Bush added, “I love my country more than politics,He deserves my silence and if he wants my help he can pick up the phone and call me,” he said.

Mr. Bush reflected on the flailing U.S. economy and how he, a “free market guy” had no choice, but to “go against his nature” to step in with a bail out package in the waning days of his administration.

At the same time, he said government cannot act alone.

“It's the risk takers, not the government this is going to pull us out of this recession,” he said highlighting the need for entrepreneurs and business people to play a role.

During a 30-minute question and answers session, Frank McKenna, a former New Brunswick premier and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, asked Mr. Bush a range of questions.

He inquired about everything from movies that depict him (“I don't pay attention to Hollywood”) to who has got the economy right, the United States or Canada (“You do”) to whether the U.S. invasion of Iraq left the efforts in Afghanistan in the lurch (“It's a spurious argument as far as I'm concerned.”) Mr. Bush said the Middle East would be much more tumultuous if Saddam Hussein still controlled Iraq.

“The world is better off and the Iraqi people are better off with out Saddam, no ifs, ands or buts,” he said.