GEORGE BUSH may now understand why it is better to give than to receive after getting presents from foreign leaders that included jars of fertiliser, a leather whip and a DVD of Singin’ in the Rain.
Details of gifts received in 2004 were disclosed by the US State Department’s office of protocol. In each case, officials decided that “non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US Government”.
It is not recorded whether either side was embarrassed by presents from King Abdullah II of Jordan, which included a dozen firearms ranging from an antique pistol and a $10,000 (£5,400) Dakota Arms sniper’s rifle. He also gave six jars of “various fertilisers” valued at $60 and an aromatherapy kit for Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary.
Peter Medgyessy, the Hungarian Prime Minister, brought a 10in leather whip valued at $125; the President of Tunisia turned up with $60 worth of dates, while the Georgian President gave the teetotal Mr Bush a dozen bottles of red wine.
The prize for top airport shopper was the Sultan of Brunei, who clearly decided to cover all bases with some last-minute gifts. These included four CDs, a couple of DVDs — Singin’ in the Rain and To Kill a Mockingbird — and what is described as a “holiday item”, a multicoloured beaded thing with the word “joy” printed on it.
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President McAleese of the Irish Republic presented Mr Bush with the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook in 2004, although it is not known if the President has felt the need to read it.
Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, received the most valuable gift, a $25,500 Bulgari necklace set from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal. The most appropriate present may have been the limited edition of the Art of War sent to Dick Cheney, the hawkish Vice-President, by his Chinese opposite number.