Bush gets $14,000 shotgun and $2700 bike as gifts

US President George W Bush

WASHINGTON - A US$14,153 ($19,942) shotgun with accessories, a US$2700 bike and thousands of dollars worth of fishing gear topped the list of gifts received by President George W Bush last year.

While the president's gift list had a distinctly outdoorsy theme, Vice President Dick Cheney received more artsy presents such as paintings and a statue, according to annual financial disclosure documents released on Friday.

Cheney gave Bush a US$595 desk clock for Christmas that is currently telling time in the Oval Office. Bush gave the vice president a US$425 floor globe.

In 2004, Bush received gifts that totalled US$26,346, many from friends in his home state of Texas, and about four times the US$5934 value of gifts given to Cheney.

The most expensive single gift Bush received was the shotgun with "accessory tools" from Roy Weatherby Jr of California.

Don Evans, the president's close friend and former commerce secretary, gave him a fishing rod, shirt, three caps and fishing bait valued at US$208; a hardcover book Longhorn worth US$240; and a US$149 sweater.

Bush received a total of five fishing rods, with the most expensive priced at US$900 with travel case.

Bush, an avid biker, received a US$2700 mountain bicycle that he uses in the Washington area, and helmets, gloves and other equipment worth US$532 from John Burke of Wisconsin.

Classical pianist Van Cliburn from Texas gave Bush US$650 gold cuff links.

And for his cowboy wardrobe, Bush received a brown pair of US$295 cowboy boots from Rocky Carroll of Houston, Texas, and a US$400 cowboy hat from Mickey Foster of Austin, Texas.

Cheney received a US$1600 painting, a US$700 replica of a statue outside of Cabella's store in Minnesota, and an US$800 framed landscape painting.

He also received a US$490 sterling silver engraved bowl, a US$350 silver apple made by Fornari and Fornari, as well as a US$120 Namiki Vanishing Point Black Carbonesque pen.

Family friend Donald Vinson of Wyoming gave Cheney 12 bottles of assorted wines valued at US$699.

The president and vice president are required to report gifts from US citizens that cost more than US$285. They are not allowed to accept personal gifts from foreigners or foreign governments.

The majority of gifts are not accepted for their personal use, but rather on behalf of the United States and sent to the National Archives.

- REUTERS