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Arab Leaders Shower Condi With Jewelry; Bush, Meh

State chief got $316K in gifts last year, to about $100K for Bush

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 23, 2008 12:55 PM CST

(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice scored $316,000 worth of lavish jewelry from Arab royals last year, the AP reports. Jordan’s King Abdullah treated Rice to an emerald and diamond necklace, ring, bracelet, earrings, and other finery; King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia a ruby and diamond necklace and earrings, bracelet and ring. President Bush received a mere $100,000 worth of gifts from the same leaders.

Bush did get a $150 platypus paperweight from an Australian official, and $450 in exercise equipment from Singapore, a State Department report shows. Laura Bush received an $85,000 sapphire-and-diamond jewelry set from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. But none of them can hang onto the treasures: Federal law requires they be kept by government agencies.

King Abdullah II of Jordan, right, meets with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, in Aqaba, Nov. 7. 2008.
King Abdullah II of Jordan, right, meets with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, in Aqaba, Nov. 7. 2008.   (AP Photo)
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, right, meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after her arrival in Riyadh.
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, right, meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after her arrival in Riyadh.   (Saudi News Agency)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a taping of Meet the Press at the NBC studios in Washington, Dec. 21, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a taping of "Meet the Press" at the NBC studios in Washington, Dec. 21, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Dec 23, 2008 4:50 AM CST
Well, that's nice.

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