Raw meat - a gift fit for a President (Saudi $135,000 Jewelry * Family)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,10329366%255E1702,00.html

A SAUDI prince lavished nearly $US130,000 ($185,000) of fine jewellery on US President George W. Bush, his wife, children and top aides in 2003, but the weightiest gift for the first family last year was kilos of raw meat.

Documents released today showed that, while Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz's exquisite baubles may have cemented US-Saudi friendship amid tension over Iraq, Argentine President Nestor Kirchner's 136kg present most likely did more to slake war-time appetites.

Although valued at only $US1500 ($2140) - far less than the crown prince's $US128,000 ($182,000) largesse - President Kirchner's meat was arguably the most unusual gift the president received.

Presented to Bush during an official visit to Washington in July, during which Mr Kirchner secured US support for a new international loan program, the lamb was transferred to the General Services Administration, presumably for distribution to government cafeterias or charity.