Bush says God told him to invade Iraq according to BBC documentary

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 07-Oct-05, 08:35

LONDON - The BBC is to air a controversial documentary series about the Middle East in which US President George Bush is described as saying that God told him to invade Iraq.

In the three-part BBC Two series 'Elusive Peace: Israel and the Arabs', which charts the attempts to bring peace to the Middle East, then Palestinian prime minister Abu Mazen and foreign minister Nabil Shaath describe their first meeting with Bush in 2003.

Shaath said: "President Bush said to all of us: 'I'm driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan'."

Shaath goes on to describe Bush as saying: "And I did, and then God would tell me, George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq... And I did. And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East. And by God, I'm gonna do it.'"

Mazen also recounts how President Bush told him: "I have a moral and religious obligation. So I will get you a Palestinian state."

The series charts events from Bill Clinton's peace talks in 1999 to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza this August.

The first episode will air on Monday October 10, with parts two and three on Monday October 17 and 24.

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