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COVER STORYOct. 20, 2006

International gifts presented to Mayor Anthony A. Williams, as received by the Office of the Secretary

By Dave Jamieson

(Illustrations by Kyle T. Webster)
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Introduction
Just How Far Has Mayor Williams Traveled?
Spinning the Globe
It's easy to explain the mayor's travels—just stay on message
Sister Acts
D.C's international siblings don't always return the love
The Mayor's Detail
Experience what it's like to travel in the Williams entourage
Mayoral Shwag
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Mayor Williams and his minions are quick to highlight the mushy, unquantifiable benefits of international junkets, such as cultural understanding and the promotion of tourism. Here’s wondering why the administration has never just come out with it: They often get gifts when they travel. And those gifts become D.C. property. Herewith a partial inventory of Williams’ offerings from abroad.

• Box of tango CDs, 100 Años en 100 Tangos; from the mayor of Buenos Aires; presented 4/18/05

• Wood-carved figurine of an African man smoking a peace pipe; from the delegation from Cameroon; presented 4/25/05

• Necktie and medallion; from Mayor Emil Boc of Cluj-Napoca, Romania; presented 2/2/05

• Butter tureen (silver/pewter with attached lid); from the King and Queen of Norway; presented 3/7/05

• Woven basket with a silver turtle; from the ambassador of Cambodia; presented 7/26/05

• Gold-trimmed, 10-inch round plate with the seal of the town of Rosport; from the mayor of Rosport, Luxembourg; presented 5/26/05

• Four handmade plates with Mayor Williams’ portrait at center, gold-trimmed with floral pattern; from a Turkish businessman; presented 9/21/05

• Hand-woven attaché case, envelope style; from the ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho; presented 5/2/05

• Wood-framed Turkish coat of arms; from Ali Kervanci of Turkey; presented 11/28/05

• Zambian clock; from the ambassador of Zambia; presented 1/12/04

• Pillow cover with scenic places in Guyana and a lapel pin; from the ambassador of Guyana; presented 2/9/04

Introduction
Just How Far Has Mayor Williams Traveled?
Spinning the Globe
It's easy to explain the mayor's travels—just stay on message
Sister Acts
D.C's international siblings don't always return the love
The Mayor's Detail
Experience what it's like to travel in the Williams entourage
Mayoral Shwag

• VHS tape featuring a presentation from the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus; from the ambassador of Cyprus; presented 3/11/04

• Traditional silk Afghan robe; from officials from Afghanistan; presented May 2004

• Wood plaque and kimonos; giver unspecified (during Cherry Blossom Festival); presented March 2004

• Replica of an Oriental pearl TV tower; giver unspecified (during tour of Asia); presented October 2004 CP
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