MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Patagonian lamb for President Bush.

The heaviest gift the United States president George Bush received during 2003 was from his Argentine counterpart Nestor Kirchner: 150 kilos of organic Patagonian lamb.

So it was revealed this week by the US State Department that every year must make a public inventory of all gifts given to top US officials.

The 150 kilos of lamb were valued at 1.500 US dollars, hardly a gift compared to the 130.000 US dollars in jewels presented by Saudi Prince Abdalá.

President Kirchner's lamb gift was delivered July 2003 when the Argentine president visited Mr. Bush requesting support for the new stand by agreement that was being discussed with the IMF.

Mrs. Kirchner also appealed to a gift of similar origin for the US First Lady, a pure Patagonian wool poncho.

US rules make it mandatory for Executive officials to report all gifts, no matter their value, and hand them to local charities or other non profit institutions.

The Saudi Prince jewels given to Mrs. Bush included diamonds and sapphires. President Bush received an 8.500 US dollars watch from the Saudi royal family.

Another extravagant gift was from Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, eight hand made carpets valued 9.375 US dollars for President Bush and seven other members of his administration.