James Baker: Bush's last words were "I love you"

One of the closest friends of former President George HW Bush described his last day as "gentle and peaceful," claiming that Bush had retained his spirit and sense of humor until his death. 19659004] Bush died Friday at his home in Houston at the age of 94.

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Former Secretary of State James Baker, who was with Bush in his last moments, called Friday a "sweet day". [19659004] "He had a very sweet and peaceful passage," Baker said in "Fox News Sunday."

"The situation was mild," Baker said, adding that arrangements had been made for all of his children to call to say goodbye.

Bush's last words were "I love you," Baker told his son, former President George W. Bush, who said, "Dad, I love you and I see you on the other side. "

Baker, whose friendship went back several decades, remembered George HW Bush as" an extraordinarily important president of the states. " States, especially in the field of foreign affairs ".

The former president will be honored this week by a funeral held at Washington's National Cathedral on Wednesday, and he will be buried on Thursday. in his presidential library at Texas A & M University.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney also participated in the "Fox News Sunday" show, where he recounted George HW. Bush as an "important leader" and described his time as Bush's secretary of defense as one of the "most successful".

"It was in my opinion – and I am probably biased – it was about the most successful national The team in charge of security and defense of foreign affairs was my experience to watch Said Cheney about the Bush presidency in 1989-93. "The president was obviously a key element."

George HW Bush "will be remembered as our most successful president with a single mandate" Baker said on NBC Sunday. "And perhaps the most successful, one of the most successful presidents of all time."

Baker termed the end of the Cold War as "one of the most successful presidents of all time." incredible ", describing how" it ended in a moan and not an explosion. "

He also cited the unification of Germany and the Bush coalition to counter Iraq's aggression in Kuwait, which led to the liberation of Kuwait, among its major achievements.

"The end of wars in Central America, which had been the holy grail of the left and the right, and there are so many others," Baker said. "So, history will remember it well and the story will be well treated."

Bush suffered from a form of Parkinson's for many years, but he never let her affect his mind, Baker said on CNN's "State of the Union." . "

" In fact, after Barbara's death, he stated that he was not ready to leave, "he said referring to the former first lady , deceased earlier this year.

"I will miss him," said Baker. "What a beautiful being, a beautiful human being. A friend of 60. "