By: Vickie J. Rubinson
When U.S. 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 U.S. officials show lavish treats from the Arab world. One eye-popper: a diamond ring, locket and musical instrument worth more than $212,000 from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, longtime U.S. nemesis, to former secretary of State Condi Rice.
He gave the gifts a personal touch, including likenesses of his face. Alas, it's only the thought that counts.
Rules forbid U.S. officials from keeping most gifts given by foreign reps. They have to turn them over to the government. Most gifts given to a president quickly end up in a warehouse, only a sampling of them to emerge years later in a presidential library.
Superb bicycles given to former Prez George W Bush last year went to federal storage. Gift perfume never graced a VIP's writes. Wine and cigars after being courteously received, almost certainly were never consumed.
During Obama's July 2008 visit to Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai gave him a $60 Jesus statue as well as two rugs, a vase and a silver palm tree figurine valued at $200 each. Following protocol, Obama turned the gifts over to the State Department.
The gobe-trotting Rice was showered with sparking gems and exotic scents: Lailque Crystal perfume from the French, Guerlain perfrume from the Armenians.
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.
One of the most striking gifts: cash. A rep of the Holy See gave the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland $2,700 in Swiss francs in November.
When U.S. 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 U.S. officials show lavish treats from the Arab world. One eye-popper: a diamond ring, locket and musical instrument worth more than $212,000 from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, longtime U.S. nemesis, to former secretary of State Condi Rice.
He gave the gifts a personal touch, including likenesses of his face. Alas, it's only the thought that counts.
Rules forbid U.S. officials from keeping most gifts given by foreign reps. They have to turn them over to the government. Most gifts given to a president quickly end up in a warehouse, only a sampling of them to emerge years later in a presidential library.
Superb bicycles given to former Prez George W Bush last year went to federal storage. Gift perfume never graced a VIP's writes. Wine and cigars after being courteously received, almost certainly were never consumed.
During Obama's July 2008 visit to Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai gave him a $60 Jesus statue as well as two rugs, a vase and a silver palm tree figurine valued at $200 each. Following protocol, Obama turned the gifts over to the State Department.
The gobe-trotting Rice was showered with sparking gems and exotic scents: Lailque Crystal perfume from the French, Guerlain perfrume from the Armenians.
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.
One of the most striking gifts: cash. A rep of the Holy See gave the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland $2,700 in Swiss francs in November.
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