Hogtied with a ribbon

摘要

When Barack Obama went to Africa this month he presented his hosts with cheques worth $7 billion for power-generation equipment. He didn't expect much in return. Yet he doubtless took a lot of trinkets back on the plane with him. Among the gifts foreign dignitaries have lavished on him since arriving in the White House are a red and white vase with purple and pink flowers (from the president of China), a Bauhaus chess set (from a German protocol chief) and an ornamental sword with the engraved legend "Fight Against Corruption" (from the attorney-general of Qatar).