Rice Received $316K In Jewels From Arab Leaders

[babylonsister]

Arabs lavish jewels on Secretary of State Rice

Arab leaders lavish jewelry on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, President Bush not so much

MATTHEW LEE
AP News

Dec 22, 2008 13:22 EST


President George W. Bush's foreign policies may be unpopular in the Middle East, but Arab leaders showered his top diplomat with jewelry worth far more than a quarter of a million dollars last year.

While Bush himself didn't fare nearly as well, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice raked in at least $316,000 in gem-encrusted baubles from the kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia alone, making her one of top recipients among U.S. officials of gifts from foreign heads of state and government and their aides in 2007.

In January, Jordan's King Abdullah II gave Rice an emerald and diamond necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings estimated to be worth $147,000, according to the State Department's annual inventory of such items released Monday just in time for Christmas.

The king and his wife, Queen Rania, also gave Rice a less expensive necklace and earrings along with a jewelry box valued at $4,630, the document shows.

Not to be outdone, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia presented Rice with a ruby and diamond necklace with matching earrings, bracelet and ring worth $165,000 in July. The inventory also includes a $170,000 flower petal motif necklace the Saudi monarch gave to Rice in 2005, which the department says was not previously disclosed.

more...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/12/arabs_lavish_jewels_on_secreta.php

[el_bryanto]

1. Yeah - but you know the real threat to American Diplomacy? Bill Clinton being paid to speak

There's what you should be worried - imagine Hillary Clinton sitting before the King of Evilstan and him saying "Hey, if you leave us alone, we'll give your husband a nice honorium to come talk to us."

Bryant

[Bok_Tukalo]

3. Clinton is not the governor of Illinois

<OPE>

[el_bryanto]

8. Not sure of the connection there

And I'm being sarcastic. Conservatoids have on several occasions suggested seriously that Bills speaking engagements will compromise her ability to conduct diplomacy. An accusation I find hilarious.

Bryant

[onehandle]

12. You're right. That'll be the made up counter-claim.

Meanwhile, Rice is sitting on actual bribes.

[patrice]

2. America's Princess!

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[babylonsister]

4. The good news is, she can't keep any of it! nt

[Johonny]

13. not sure it's good news

the crap just ends up in some presidents library. Never getting used by anyone. Given the current budget they should be forced to sell it off. Really what's the whole point of it. Are the foreign leaders that stupid... oh wait they showered Bush with gifts, I guess they are.

[Mabus]

5. Will Bush try to keep Saddam's mounted pistol?

A Saddam Souvenir

The sidearm has made its way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sources say that the military had the pistol mounted after the soldiers seized it from Saddam and that it was then presented to the President privately by some of the troops who played a key role in ferreting out the old tyrant. Though it was widely reported at the time that the pistol was loaded when they grabbed Saddam, Bush has told visitors that the gun was empty—and that it is still empty and safe to touch. "He really liked showing it off," says a recent visitor to the White House who has seen the gun. "He was really proud of it."

[lonestarnot]

6. Does Beaver have to give these up or does she keep the goods?

[Zywiec]

7. They don't keep any of it

What you forgot to include was this paragraph:

"Unfortunately for the Bushes, Rice and other recipients, they won't be able to enjoy the gifts as they have been turned over to the General Services Administration and government archives in accordance with federal law, which bars officials from accepting personal presents in almost all circumstances."


Do you think foreign leaders will be any less generous with the Obama administration?

:shrug:

[babylonsister]

9. See response #4. DU has limits on numbers of paragraphs

to be posted. I do try...

[Kalyke]

11. So, can we sell them and give the car companies some of the proceeds?

It would seem fitting that jewels from Saudi leaders would go to help car companies.

(I know, it's not enough - but they shouldn't just sit around)

[ChickMagic]

14. Nixon kept Checkers

But he was probably lying about how he got the pup.

[Joanne98]

10. Isn't that special!

[AlCzervik]

15. At least they don't get to the gifts.