Bush scores a world bazaar in gifts

WASHINGTON — Looking for the perfect present for the leader of the free world? How about a personal survival guide, a sculpture of Hercules, scented candles, 19th-century handguns or a Moby Dick watch?

Those were among the gifts from world leaders to President Bush and other members of his administration in 2004.

With the United States at war in Iraq and engaged in a global battle against terrorists, Bush received "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" and a DVD of the musical "Singin' in the Rain" from the sultan of Brunei.

The State Department's Office of Protocol published the catalog of gifts to U.S. government officials in the Federal Register on Thursday.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gave Bush an $8,500 marble statue of Hercules, the athletic son of Zeus in Greek mythology, and the Moby Dick watch with an alligator band. Former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin's gift in April 2004 was a protective vest worn by rodeo cowboys, embroidered with U.S. and Canadian flags.

Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania went for a softer touch in December 2004 with their gift of myrtle-flower-scented candles. Abdullah also presented Bush with a circa-1884 Colt revolver pistol and 10 other vintage firearms the White House valued at $12,000. Separately, Abdullah bestowed on Bush a Dakota Arms Rifle with an 8-inch scope worth $10,000.

Abdullah and Rania also decided an aromatherapy set and assorted olive oils would befit Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Value: $380 and $110, respectively.

From French President Jacques Chirac, Bush received a wooden Lalique cigar humidor valued at $2,895. Chirac's wife, Bernadette, gave first lady Laura Bush a Chanel purse worth $1,150.

The most expensive gift disclosed was given to former Secretary of State Colin Powell by the Saudi Arabian government: a $24,500 set of women's jewelry, including an 18-carat white-gold Bulgari necklace set with 64 round diamonds totaling 6.4 carats. The jewelry is being transferred to the General Services Administration, according to the Federal Register. Many of the other items were sent to government archives.

Federal law allows an official to keep a gift worth less than a minimum value, currently $305.

Gifts above that value are considered made to the agency, not the employee; the employee has the option of purchasing the gift. Public sales of any gifts require the approval of the State Department.