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Generous gifts to US officials end up in archives, storage

When US presidents and their diplomats meet some Arab leaders, they come away with more than an earful about foreign policy. They also get exquisite baubles, objects of gold, robes, art — even a papier mache Santa Claus.

A new list of gifts bestowed by foreign leaders on US officials shows particularly lavish treats from Arabs. One eye-popper: a diamond ring, locket and musical instrument worth more than US$212,000 from Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, longtime US nemesis, to former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

He gave the gifts a personal touch, including likenesses of his face.

Alas, it is only the thought that counts.

Rules forbid US officials from keeping most gifts given by foreign representatives. They have to turn them over to the government. Most gifts given to a president quickly end up in a warehouse.

Superb bicycles given to former US president George W. Bush last year went to federal storage, according to the State Department list released on Thursday. Gift perfume never graced a VIP’s wrist. Wine and cigars, after being courteously received, almost certainly were never consumed.

The list covers gifts given Bush and his officials, along with some from earlier years of his administration that were reported later.

US President Barack Obama is on the list as a senator. During Obama’s visit last July to Afghanistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai gave him a US$60 Jesus statue as well as two rugs, a vase and a silver palm tree figurine valued at US$200 each. Following protocol, Obama turned the gifts over to the State Department.

The globe-trotting Rice was showered with sparkling gems and exotic scents — Lalique Crystal perfume from the French, Guerlain perfume from the Armenians.

In Arab countries, hospitality and generosity are greatly valued, and even poor people will press gifts or admired personal belongings on guests. The richer the person, the greater the hospitality and giving.

Enter King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

He gave more than US$750,000 in gifts to Bush, Rice, lower officials and others connected with the White House. Elizabeth Cheney, daughter of then-vice president, Dick Cheney, received US$85,000 in diamonds and rubies from the king. In a distinct change of pace, he also gave her three pairs of Dr Scholl’s clogs.

She, too, could not keep the largesse. It all went to archival storage.

In just one episode last year, the king gave Rice a jewelry set, robe and scarf valued at more than US$230,000.

A small percentage of gifts ends up on display in government offices or presidential libraries. In some cases with inexpensive items, the recipient may be able to buy it from the government.

Consumable gifts to the president, such as food and drink, run into special security obstacles.

Ten Fuente OpusX cigars from Panama, among the most prized, were not left with Bush. The list shows they were “handled pursuant to Secret Service policy.” That probably means the trash bin.
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