Former U.S. president Bush escapes arrest on Canadian visit

Well, they didn't slap cuffs on former U.S. president George W. Bush down in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday.

But even the 200 or so protesters — including many from the Occupy Vancouver protest — didn't really expect anyone to collar the man behind the Iraq war and Guantanamo Bay.

They were heeding a call from earlier this month from Amnesty International, which urged Canadian authorities to either arrest, prosecute or extradite Bush for allowing the torture of terror suspects.

"Canada is required by its international obligations to arrest and prosecute former President Bush given his responsibility for crimes under international law including torture," said Susan Lee, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

"As the U.S. authorities have, so far, failed to bring former President Bush to justice, the international community must step in. A failure by Canada to take action during his visit would violate the UN Convention against Torture and demonstrate contempt for fundamental human rights."

Bush, along with former president Bill Clinton, was in Canada to speak at the Surrey Regional Economic Summit, a business showcase for the fast-growing city southeast of Vancouver.

Amnesty's call spawned Facebook pages urging people to go to the event and confront Bush.

"Not in Van (Vancouver) but if I was I'd be so there to watch him get egged! lol," said Flo Flo Chan.

"Someone throw a shoe at him," added Francy Elkins, referring to the famous 2008 incident when Bush had to duck a pair of flying wingtips during a Baghdad news conference.

But the protesters never got within shoe-hurtling range of the former leader of the free world. Police, who ensured the protesters were kept outside the conference site, said no one was arrested.

Protester Malcolm Trevena tweeted they weren't sure where Bush was.

"Police helicopters circling. No sign of Mr. Bush," he said.

"No sign of Bush and I have to leave," he tweeted an hour later. "Well done to all the peaceful protesters who turned up."

"Shame @Mayor (Diane) Watts & #christyclark (B.C.'s premier) fraternizing w/ a war criminal @ illegally refusing 2 #arrestbush, a self-proclaimed torturer."

"@MayorWatts hosting a man accused of genocide under Canadian and international law implicitly condones his acts," added Bruce Harding.

As the demonstrators dispersed, some to head back to the Occupy Vancouver tent city downtown, they left a protest song to mark their effort.

(AFP Photo)