When former US president Bush made a memorable visit to Oman

Muscat: Former US President George HW Bush, who passed away on November 30, holds a special place in the hearts of the students and faculty at The American International School of Muscat (TAISM).
Bush, who passed away at the age of 94, had visited Oman way back in 1998 for the laying of the foundation stone of the TAISM campus, which is today home to some 750 students.
Some 20 years ago, on December 3, 1998, Bush was accompanied by Sayyid Mansour bin Majed Al Sayed, the personal representative of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, after then-US Ambassador to Oman Frances D Cook had personally approached His Majesty for permission to set up the school.
His Majesty, always looking to further the education and development of the country, granted the US Ambassador a piece of land in Ghala on which she could set up the TAISM campus.
“I want to extend my personal thanks to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for his gracious donation of the land and the many donors who made TAISM a reality,” said former President George HW Bush on the day of the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
“I also want to recognise the many parents and students who volunteered so much of their time and talents to this ambitious project. It is my hope that The American International School of Muscat will serve to strengthen the bonds between the people of Oman and the people of the United States of America.”
Cook, who was also present on that day, added to what Bush had said in terms of a stronger relationship between the United States and the Sultanate, which continues to be a strong partner of the US in the Middle East.
“I am pleased and proud to welcome you—my country and the Sultanate—to this celebration of great importance, the laying of the foundation stone of TAISM,” said Cook.
“I am particularly pleased that an individual who is much respected in this region and around the world, former President George H.W. Bush, has agreed to participate in this important occasion.”
“Former President Bush symbolises the friendship and respect between our two countries, and it is especially fitting that he inaugurates this new expression of the depth of our relationship—the home of the first school in the Sultanate providing American education,” she added.
George Herbert Walker Bush served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He had previously served as Vice President to Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989, before which he was the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
A member of the Republican Party, Bush was also the Chief of the Liaison Office to the People’s Republic of China, the US Ambassador to the United Nations and the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. His son, George W Bush, became the US President in 2001.