White House: Bush didn't make God claim

United Press International
Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 12:00 a.m. | Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 12:00 a.m.

The White House denied Thursday that President Bush said God told him to invade Iraq and Afghanistan and to ensure the creation of a Palestinian state.

"He's never made such comments," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath says in a BBC documentary scheduled for release next week Bush told him during a 2003 meeting with Palestinians he was "driven with a mission from God."

"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. And I did, and then God would tell me, George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq... And I did."

The president was also said to have heard God tell him to bring peace to the Middle East and ensure Israel had its security.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who also appears in the documentary, said the president told him: "I have a moral and religious obligation. So I will get you a Palestinian state."

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