Rice "Showered" In Jewelry By Arab Leaders: Report

Rice 'showered' in jewelery by Arab leaders: Report

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Rice_s...Arab_1222.html

Published: Monday December 22, 2008

In spite of America's intense unpopularity in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received nearly a quarter of a million dollars in gifts from Arab leaders in 2007, according to a recent report.

The Associated Press said Monday that Bush's top diplomat was gifted "at least $316,000 in gem-encrusted baubles from the kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia alone."

From Saudia Arabia's King Abdullah, Rice received a necklace and earrings with a jewelry box worth $4,630, an emerald and diamond encrusted necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings worth $147,000, a ruby and diamond necklace with earrings, a bracelet and ring estimated to be worth $165,000, and a $170,000 flower petal necklace from 2005 which was not disclosed in previous reports.

The list of gifts, released by the US State Department on Monday, shows the same leaders gifted just over $100,000 to Bush. Gifts to the president's family included a set of pillow cases with an American flag pattern and the names of the Bush's dogs, and a golden tent, presented to First Lady Laura Bush.

The gifts have been turned over to the General Services Administration in accordance with federal law.