WASHINGTON — 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-mâche Santa Claus.
A new list of gifts bestowed by foreign leaders on U.S. officials shows particularly 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 Khadafy, longtime U.S. nemesis, to former Secretary of State Condoleezza 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 representatives. Most gifts given to a president quickly end up in a warehouse, perhaps emerging years later in a presidential library.
President Barack Obama is on the list, as a senator. 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 Saudi medal of honor Obama received in his presidential visit to the kingdom this month is likely to end up in archival storage, just as did one given Bush.
