KEY POINTS:
What, oh what, to give the leader of the free world?
From the looks of an official record of international gifts to United States President George W. Bush last year, it is clear the average pen set and card will not do.
Try an US$11,000 ($14,358) Cartier Santos Dumont watch with an 18K white gold case, given to Bush in April 2006 by Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Or, for time spent at his Texas ranch, there is a pair of black leather Hungarian riding boots stitched with an off-white leather "W". Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany gave them to Bush a couple ofweeks after the President's birthday in July.
Bush - as well as first lady Laura Bush, Cabinet members and other top US employees - received thousands of dollars worth of gifts from foreign leaders and friends last year, according to a list compiled and released by the US State Department.
Many of these items are from the customary exchange of gifts between US and foreign leaders, and the pricier ones must be turned over to the US Government.
Under a 2006 rule, recipients may not keep gifts from foreign officials that are worth more than US$305, for fear of the potential influence on US policy.
They are accepted, however, on behalf of the American people.
In January 2006, the Bushes each received some "hand-woven emerald green, fuchsia, indigo blue, orange and purple traditional Ghana Kente (cloth) with a stripe and geometric weft motif pattern" from Ghana's President, John Kufuor.
That month, a Mexican governor and his wife sent Laura Bush a pure silver, hollow sculpture of a male bust called The Creator, mounted on a marble base and valued at US$1500. Laura Bush also accepted a cashmere shawl, silk scarves, and many books and jewellery items last year.
Such presents did not just go to the first family.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received a hand-painted decorative orb with a picture of herself inside. The US$800 gift was sent by a ranking Chinese general, and it is listed for use in the State Department's museum.
But Rice's most expensive gift came from Saudi King Abdullah in February 2006: a white gold-and-diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring, worth US$20,000.
Eight months later, he sent a similar jewellery set, valued at US$12,000.
Saudi leaders were one of the most generous donors to the Bush Administration.
- AP
