We like to get a bit excited here in the newsroom about what Prime Ministers, Foreign Secretaries and the like get as way of presents from their overseas counterparts. Mr Prescott's recent gift of a cowboy suit provided much merriment.
But what about the US of A?
A recent report on White House gifts has shown that President George W. Bush has received a right Royal smorgasbord of the weird and wonderful in the last few years, including a $10,000 sniper's rifle, 11 antique handguns, six jars of fertilizer, and a DVD of "Singin' in the Rain" from various foreign leaders.
The report covers gifts provided by "foreign government sources."
Included in Bush's goodie bag were assorted American Football toys from Saudi Arabia's Prince Bandar, and - amusingly to us at least - a $125 braided leather whip from the Hungarian prime minister.
The Sultan of Brunei was kind enough to pop a copy of "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" into the post (we take it it remains unread)...
The Asian leader also gave the leader of the Free World DVDs of "Singin' in the Rain" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." (Read the subtext if you can...)
Jordan's King Abdullah gave George $12,000 worth of weapons including a pistol dating to 1780 and - for what we do not know - six jars of fertilizers valued at $60.
The Tunisian president gave President Bush $60 worth of dates.
First Lady Laura Bush received $1150 worth of Chanel from the French.
Vice President Dick Cheney was left smiling with a set of white gold cufflinks "with Arabic lettering symbolizing good fortune and health" from Jordan.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was happy to receive a Bulgari necklace set from Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal, which came in at $24,500.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld received some nice bottles of wine, but his most expensive gift came from Jordan's King and Queen, who gave him a $380 aromatherapy gift set. Nice.
Sadly we don't know what all these princes and princesses got in return... Invaded?
Comments