The Great Game

This is interesting, first it shows that "gift-giving" or bribery of officials continues after they leave office. Secondly, it shows a degree of elegance in Saudi diplomacy. Both the Harper government and Bush administration have been a bit ham-fisted in their diplomacy. I imagine, when the history of Saudi diplomancy is written it will show how effective it has been.

A few nights after he resigned his post as secretary of state two years ago, Colin L. Powell answered a ring at his front door. Standing outside was Prince Bandar, then Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, with a 1995 Jaguar. Mr. Powell’s wife, Alma, had once mentioned that she missed their 1995 Jaguar, which she and her husband had traded in. Prince Bandar had filed that information away, and presented the Powells that night with an identical, 10-year-old model. The Powells kept the car — a gift that the State Department said was legal — but recently traded it away.